Archaeological Investigations at the Gresser House (41BX369) San Antonio, Texas

During March 1977, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted archaeological investigations at the historic Gresser House located on the northwest corner at the intersection of South Presa and Nueva Streets in the historic district of downtown San Antonio (Fig. 1). The investigations were designed to examine building foundation remains which were uncovered during renovation work being carried out at the Gresser House. These were continued investigations following recommendations made by Anne Fox, who did an initial examination of structural remains and associated animal bones and artifacts uncovered by workmen after the removal of a small brick structure attached to the Gresser Hous

Archaeological Investigations at the Mayer House (41BX326) San Antonio, Texas

The Maximilian B. Mayer House (41 BX 326) once stood\u27 on the corner formed by King William Street, South Saint Mary\u27s Street and Durango Boulevard (Fig. l). It was torn down about 1967, but its foundations and other subsurface structures still remain in the ground. The recent acquisition and renovation by the San Antonio Conservation Society of the Anton Wulff House (at 107 King William Street) included landscaping and the planting of trees over the site of the Mayer House (at 101 King William Street). Since the land is part of the King William Historical District, this alteration of the earth necessitated a preliminary investigation by an archaeologist to determine what cultural resources might be affected and to mitigate the effects of this disturbance on any such cultural resources

Archaeological Survey and Testing at Rancho de las Cabras, Wilson County, Texas

During summer 1980 a program of archaeological survey and testing was carried out by the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Anionio, for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the site of Rancho de las Cabras near Floresville, Texas. The site is reputed to be the livestock ranch of Mission San Fran~isco de la Espada in the late 18th century. Large areas of the site were surveyed to determine if prehistoric sites were present. The limits of the historic occupation were determined through surface survey and shovel testing. Archaeological testing within and adjacent to the historic ruins located architectural and-cultural features which will need . further excavation and study. The depth and composition of the historic deposits throughout the site were tested and recorded. A map of the compound was prepared in cooperation with professional surveyors provided by the Parks and Wildlife Department. Recommendations for future historical and archaeological research are included in the report

Historical Survey of the Lands within The Alamo Plaza - River Linkage Development Project

In December 1977 the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, entered into a contract with the City of San Antonio to compile a history of a section of the city bounded by Alamo Street, Crockett Street, the San Antonio River and Houston Street. Plans for the area include removal of a number of buildings and construction of a major hotel, a parking garage, and a park linking Alamo Plaza with the San Antonio River Walk. The area to be affected includes the sites of a number of important historical structures, including the southwest corner of Mission San Antonio de Valero and the site of one of the first commercial ice plants in the city. The document produced by this study is to be used as a basis for planning archaeological excavations in the area to be disturbed by construction. Research has been carried out by the authors under the supervision of Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director of the Center and Jack Eaton, Assistant Director

Archaeological and Historical Investigations at the Alamo North Wall San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

In March 1979, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted test excavations in the vicinity of the north wall of the Alamo within the second patio. A great deal of information was recovered about all phases of the development of the site, from the early eighteenth century through the restoration period in the early twentieth century. Information was recovered on the location and dimensions of defensive trenches and structures constructed in the north courtyard in preparation for the battles of late 1835 and March 1836. A human cranium recovered from the fill of a defensive trench has been identified as possibly a male about 17 to 23 years of age. The ethnic affiliation of the individual could not be positively determined, nor could the cause of death

Archaeological Testing at Rancho de las Cabras, 41WN30, Wilson County, Texas. Second Season

In the summer of 1981, the second season of excavations at the Rancho de las Cabras (41 WN 30) was conducted by the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, Texas. This season included further architectural testing and stratigraphic excavations in a large trash pit located during season one, July 1980. A five by six meter area of the interior northwest corner was excavated revealing wall trenches and floors of part of a jacal complex. A more exact plan of Rancho de las Cabras was drawn, and professional surveyors from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department made a contour map of the site. Recommendations for future historical and archaeological research are included in this report

Archaeological Testing at Rancho de las Cabras, 41WN30, Wilson County, Texas. Second Season

In the summer of 1981, the second season of excavations at the Rancho de las Cabras (41 WN 30) was conducted by the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, Texas. This season included further architectural testing and stratigraphic excavations in a large trash pit located during season one, July 1980. A five by six meter area of the interior northwest corner was excavated revealing wall trenches and floors of part of a jacal complex. A more exact plan of Rancho de las Cabras was drawn, and professional surveyors from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department made a contour map of the site. Recommendations for future historical and archaeological research are included in this report

An Initial Archaeological Assessment of Area Proposed for Modification at Fort McIntosh, Webb County, Texas

From April 4 to 11, 1977, archaeologists from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Center for Archaeological Research, visited the site of Fort McIntosh (41 WE 11), presently occupied by the Laredo Junior College, Laredo, Texas. The purpose of the visit was to conduct four days of on-the-ground survey and limited testing in the southwestern area of the Fort Site where construction of college athletic facilities is planned. This area lies between the college campus and the bank of the Rio Grande. The survey was designed to determine, if possible, what archaeological and historical resources remain in the proposed development area (Fig. 1). The survey was conducted under formal contract between the Laredo Junior College (Dr. Domingo Arechiga, President) and The University of Texas at San Antonio, Center for Archaeological Research. Fieldwork was done under the supervision of Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Center Director, and Mr. Jack D. Eaton, Research Associate

Cultural Resources Survey: Freeport, Harbor, Texas, (45-Foot) Navigation Improvement Project, Brazoria County, Texas

In October and November of 1980, the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted an intensive resource survey and limited testing in an area on either side of the mouth of the Brazos River in Brazoria County, Texas. A history was composed of the project area in relation to that of the Republic and State of Texas. A structural history of the town of Velasco was compiled from archival and historical research. Intensive survey and assessment of the project area resulted in the conclusion that, aside from a few possible subsurface indications at or below the water level, Fort Velasco and the townsite of Velasco have been eliminated by the action of successive tropical storms. It is recommended, however, that further intensive testing be carried out if the area within Monument Square of old Velasco is to be seriously impacted by the Freeport Harbor Navigation Improvement Project

An Archaeological and Historical Survey of Walnut Creek, Seguin, Texas

During March 1977, the Center for Archaeological Research conducted archaeological and historical surveys of Walnut Creek at Seguin, Texas. The surveys were performed under contract with Hallenberger, Galindo and Associates, Consulting Engineers. This engineering firm, in turn, has been contracted by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to do a study of proposed flood control developments along Walnut Creek in anticipation of the projected 50-year flood cycle. The archaeological and historical surveys of Walnut Creek Were part ofa larger study to assess the environmental impact of the area by the proposed flood control developments. This report, which describes the surveys made along Walnut Creek, is presented in two parts: Part I deals with the historical survey and is written by James E. Ivey; Part II covers the archaeological survey done by Cristi Assad and Erwin Roemer. The results of these surveys and suggested recommendations are presented herein