Article Title

Cultural Resources Investigations for the Schertz Colonies Drainage Improvement Project, Schertz, Guadalupe County, Texas

Authors

Antonio E. Padilla
Chris Matthews
Steve A. Tomka

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc. (RKEI), was contracted by Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. (CLIENT), on behalf of the City of Schertz, to perform cultural resources investigations for the Schertz Colonies Drainage Improvement Project in southeastern Schertz, Guadalupe County, Texas. The proposed undertaking involves the improvement of 330 feet of an existing drainage ditch located in north-central Schertz in western Guadalupe County, Texas. All work was conducted in accordance with the Archeological Survey Standards for Texas as set forth by the Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA) and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit Number 8403.

The cultural resources field investigations for the Schertz Colonias Drainage Project was conducted on May 2, 2018. The investigations included a background review, a pedestrian survey augmented by shovel testing, and backhoe trenching. The background review revealed that no previous archaeological surveys had been conducted and no archaeological sites have been recorded within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). A review of online historical aerial photographs depicted that sometime between 1966 and 1973 the drainage channel had been constructed and the area had been scraped.

During the pedestrian survey, disturbances associated with utility installation were observed. These underground utilities within the lot eventually impacted portions of the APE. Utility disturbances observed within the lot consisted of an AT&T vault, two gas lines, and a sewer line. The AT&T vault and a gas line were located near the sidewalk. These utilities were parallel to Schertz Parkway, intersecting the northeastern portion of the APE. The sewer line and a 2-foot diameter gas line were perpendicular to Schertz Parkway, intersecting the southwestern end of the APE.

As part of the pedestrian survey, RKEI excavated three shovel tests within the 0.25 acre APE. Two of the three shovel tests were excavated to a depth of 1.97 feet (60 cm), while one was terminated at a depth of 1.57 feet (48 cm) due to the presence of a large root. The soils within the shovel tests exhibited a mottled appearance, indicating disturbance. Soils were compact in the upper 0.98 feet (30 cm) and became less compact at deeper elevations. No prehistoric or historic cultural materials were encountered within the shovel tests.

In addition to the shovel testing, RKEI excavated two backhoe trenches within the APE. Backhoe trenches were excavated to a maximum depth of 6 feet (183 cm). Within the upper 2.5 feet (75 cm), soils exhibited a mottled appearance, indicating disturbance, while the lower 3.5 feet appeared to be intact. The disturbance observed in the upper 2.5 feet (75 cm) is likely associated with the construction of the channel and scraping activities that had occurred on the property between 1966 and 1973. Within BHT01, modern trash consisting of an unidentified piece of metal, a blue plastic cap for a 5 gallon water jug, and a piece of patinated clear glass were encountered. No prehistoric or historic cultural materials were observed within the spoils or trench walls.

Based on the investigations, RKEI has made a good faith effort in identifying cultural resources within the APE. As a result, RKEI does not recommend any further archaeological investigations within the APE. However, should changes be made to the project APE, further work may be required.

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