Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Pepper Creek Elevated Storage Tank City Of Temple, Bell County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Ann M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

The City of Temple has proposed the Pepper Creek Elevated Storage Tank project where an elevated water storage tank and associated driveway will be constructed in western Temple, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximate 1.3- acre project area. Because the City of Temple, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission. In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should federal permitting or funding be utilized for this project. The work described herein was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9131, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA Principal Investigator, and in adherence to Title 13, Chapter 26 of the Texas Administrative Code. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Staff Scientist Miranda Reinhard. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The approximate 1.3-acre parcel was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the project. Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on October 17, 2019. Three shovel tests were excavated in areas that appeared to be undisturbed. Shovel test excavations were devoid of cultural materials, and prehistoric or historic-age cultural materials were not observed on the ground surface. No sites were recorded or revisited as a result of the survey. Therefore, there are no known historic properties present within the project area. It is Terracon’s recommendation that there are no known historic properties eligible for State Antiquities Landmark designation or National Register of Historic Places inclusion that will be affected by future construction of the proposed elevated storage tank. In the unlikely event that human remains or intact cultural features are discovered during construction, those activities should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted.

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