Article Title

CSJ 0414-01-001, SH 165 within the Texas State Cemetery Travis County, Austin District

Authors

Jon Budd

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

On November 6, 2017 TxDOT archeologists conducted an intensive archeological survey under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8212 for the proposed widening of the east/west segment of State Highway (SH) 165 located within the Texas State Cemetery in Austin in Travis County, Texas. The Texas State Cemetery has been previously determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is also recorded as a Texas State Antiquities Landmark. The cemetery has been previously recorded as the archeological site, 41TV1700.

The existing 328 foot long by 12 foot wide east/west segment of SH 165 roadway would be widened to 22 feet. The undertakings area of potential effects is defined as a 22 foot wide by 328 foot long area centered on the existing east/west segment of SH 165 beginning at Comal Street and extending west to the north/south segment of SH 165. The depth of impacts is estimated to be approximately 3 feet below the current ground surface. The project area incorporates approximately 0.165 acres. All funding and oversight for the project is under the purview of the State of Texas. No Federal funding or oversight is involved. Therefore, this project is being coordinated under the Antiquities Code of Texas only.

During informal consultation with the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the THC recommended that the intensive archeological investigation consist of three mechanical trenches excavated on the south side and parallel to the east/west segment of SH 165 to assess the potential for the APE to contain unmarked human interments. As per the THC recommendations, TxDOT archeologists excavated three trenches measuring 12 by 3 feet and up to 8 feet in depth. TxDOT also conducted a 100% pedestrian inspection of the project area. No marked or unmarked human interments were observed. One fragment of blue on white transfer ware, one fragment of a white porcelain plate, one rusted metal fragment, a charred twig, and one modern aluminium Coca-Cola were observed within imported fill sections. These were recorded as isolated finds and not part of any archeological site. No other archeological materials were observed or recorded. No materials were collected. Therefore, no materials are curated.

Based upon the results of the investigation, TxDOT recommends that the widening of the east/west segment of SH 165 will have no adverse effect to any portion of the National Register of Historic Places eligible archeological site or State Antiquities Landmark (41TV1700). No further work is recommended.

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