Article Title

Archeological Testing and Monitoring of the Proposed Roma Visitor Complex, City of Roma, Starr County, Texas

Authors

Barbara A. MeissnerFollow
Kristi Miller UlrichFollow
José E. Zapata, Center for Archeological Research, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Steve A. Tomka, Raba KistnerFollow

Agency

Center for Archaeological Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21112/ita.2005.1.2

Abstract

In February and March 2003, staff from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted archeological testing and monitoring within the boundaries of the National Historic Landmark District of Roma, Texas. This work was conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the Programmatic Agreement of the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Texas Antiquities Code. The archeological services were conducted under contract with Kell Muñoz Architects of San Antonio and in coordination with the City of Roma and the Pharr District of the Texas Department of Transportation. The sites examined included 41SR210 (Antonia Sáenz Residence), 41SR211 (Stone Cottage), 41SR212 (Rafael García-Ramirez House and Store), 41SR215 (Ramirez Hospital), and 41SR337 (The Coffee Pot Café). This report presents the results of archeological testing and monitoring of areas to be impacted by improvements. The improvements include stabilization of historic building walls, installation of utility lines, and the construction of an amphitheater located in the courtyard. This work supported the information concerning the dates of occupation and construction at each site. The cultural materials found were a mixture of artifacts that likely date to before, during, and after the period of construction of each of the buildings. Because these artifacts were not preserved in an archeological context that dates to a particular historical period of Roma and none were recovered from distinct archeological features from such a time period, none of the archeological deposits investigated can be considered to be National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible. Overall, it is the conclusion of CAR that the substantial construction-related impacts related to the Roma Visitor Complex project will not impact intact cultural deposits. Even areas within the National Historic Landmark District that will be subject to relatively shallow, subsurface disturbances retain no intact cultural deposits that would be eligible for nomination to the NRHP or may be contributing to the existing National Historic Landmark properties. Finally, the one area where cultural materials with limited research value may be encountered will not be adversely impacted by construction activities.

These archeological investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 3052, with Dr. Steve A. Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator. All cultural materials to be curated were prepared in accordance with federal regulation 36 CFR part 79. All collected artifacts and project-related documents will be permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.

Licensing Statement

This is a work produced for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by the report producer. TxDOT and the report producer jointly own all rights, title, and interest in and to all intellectual property developed under TxDOT’s contract with the report producer. The report may be cited and brief passages from this publication may be reproduced without permission provided that credit is given to both TxDOT and the report producer. Permission to reprint an entire chapter, section, figures or tables must be obtained in advance from either the Supervisor of the Archeological Studies Branch, Environmental Affairs Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701 or from the report producer.