Phase I Archaeological and Cultural Resource Investigation Results: Proposed Lower Eastern Beaver River Course Realignment Project, Silver Bay Golf Course, Beaver Bay Township, Lake County, Minnesota. Prepared for Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. 23 June 2017 John G. Hodgson Principal Investigator Tim Sullivan Miriam L. Hernandez Assistants Phase One Archaeological Services Inc. P.O. Box 45822 Madison, Wisconsin, 53744
Abstract The following report describes the results of a Phase I archaeological and cultural resources investigation conducted for the East Branch Beaver River Restoration Project (Project). The proposed Project involves a river course straightening for the lower East Branch Beaver River located to the south of Lax Lake Road (CR-4) and to the north of the Silver Bay Golf Course in the Beaver Bay Township of Lake County, Minnesota The described investigation located a late 19 th and early 20 th century Euro-American homestead (general area) and small private family cemetery with four human burials (the Betzler Family Cemetery) that has been reported the Minnesota Office of the State Archaeologist and recorded as archaeological site number 21-LA-0566. 21-LA-0566 is outside of the planned areas for physical ground disturbance and will not be affected by the proposed Project activities. Aside from the small cemetery and homestead area, the investigation did not locate any archaeological or other cultural resources located within the immediate area of the proposed Project. The investigation results indicate that the current Project design will not have direct or indirect adverse effects on National Register of Historic Places listed properties, any currently identified archaeological, or other cultural resources. As a result of this study, the Principal Investigator recommends no further archaeological or other cultural resource investigations be required prior to beginning Project construction. i
Table of Contents Abstract Table of Contents List of Figures i ii iii-iv Introduction 1 Location of Project Area 1-2 Natural Environment and Soils 2 Project Description 2 Literature Investigations 2-4 Archaeological Field Investigation 4 Study Results 4-5 Recommendations 5 References Cited 6 Supporting Figures 7-19 Appendix A: NRCS Soil Data for the General Project Area 20-23 Appendix B: Archaeological Site form for 21-LK-0566 24-28 ii
Figures Figure One: Project location plotted 1:24,000 scale topographic map (USGS 1982). 7 Figure Two: Project location plotted on satellite imagery. 8 Figure Three: Project construction plans (Stantec). 9 Figure Four: Previously reported archaeological sites within general Project (MN SHPO). 10 Figure Five: Previously reported architectural and historical sites within general Project area (MN SHPO). 11 Figure Six: Location of shovel test within project area. Shovel tests in the main Project area were made on transects left to right, right to left following the numbers on the outside of the Project area. 12 Figure Seven: Southern edge of Project area and 21-LK-0533. View to west. 13 Figure Eight: Southern terminus of Project area and East Beaver River. View to north. 13 Figure Nine: Southern area of 21-LK-0533. View to northwest and possible foundation at center. 14 Figure Ten: Central area of 21-LK-0533 and reported location of Betzler cabin. 14 Figure Eleven: Grave marker for Joseph and Rosia Betlzer at 21-LKJ-0533. 15 Figure Twelve: Northern Project area for proposed temporary access road. View to north. 15 Figure Thirteen: Northern Terminus of Project Area at CR-4. View to south from CR-4. 16 iii
Figure Fourteen: Proposed temporary access road area. Early 20 th century metal barrel on surface. 16 Figure Fifteen: Central Project area. Existing river course. View to southeast. 17 Figure Sixteen: Dry river channel and area of planned river redirection. View to north. 17 Figure Seventeen: Dry river channel and area of planned river redirection. View to south. 18 Figure Eighteen: Area of planned river redirection. View to south. 18 Figure Seventeen: Southern terminus of Project area and existing river channel. View to south. 19 Figure Eighteen: Southern terminus of Project area and existing river channel. View to south. 19 iv
Introduction: The following report describes the results of a Phase I archaeological and cultural resources investigation conducted for a proposed river course redirecting project to be located east of Lax Lake Road (CR 4) and on the northern edge of the Silver Bay Golf Course, Beaver Bay Township, Lake County, Minnesota (Figures One and Two). The field investigation was conducted May 5-7, 2017, with a crew of two individuals, John G. Hodgson (Principal Investigator [P.I.]) and Miriam Hernandez (Assistant). In compliance with requirements of Federal (Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act) and applicable elements of State laws (Minnesota Statutes 138.40, 138.665 and 116B), the proposed Project area was investigated for the presence or absence of archeological sites and other cultural resources. The physical and visual areas of potential effect (APE) for surface and sub-surface projects have been designated as being limited to the immediate areas of the planned construction activities as result of the low elevation of the physical change to the landscape in forested areas. For this reason, standing architecture was not a major focus of the cultural resources study. All aspects of the archaeological investigation were conducted in accordance with methodological guidelines of the State Historical Preservation Office Manual for Archaeological Projects in Minnesota (Anfinson 2001), State Archaeologist s Procedures for Implementing Minnesota s Private Cemeteries Act (MS 307.08) (Anfinson 2008) and the Secretary of the Interior s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (National Park Service 1983). The investigation methods outlined in the above publications are endorsed by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the OSA and provide the standard for conducting legislative compliance-related archaeological research in Minnesota. During the investigation, databases, historical documents, and other resources were consulted for available information on previously identified cultural resources. Cultural resources investigated during the study included archaeological sites and other cultural resources located in the immediate areas of planned construction and within a one-mile radius of all proposed Project activities. Database literature research was conducted at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) Minnesota History Center by John Hodgson April 25th, 2017 with additional information provided by Mr. Thomas Cinadr and using local historical society materials as well as online resources. Location of Project Area: The proposed Project area is located in the Beaver Bay Township to the northwest of the City of Beaver Bay and west of East Beaver Bay in the Beaver Bay Township of Lake County, Minnesota (Figures One and Two). 1
The Project area is located the NW and SW quarters of Section 2, Township 55 North, Range 8 West. UTM coordinates of the approximate project center point are E 627206 N 5237434 Z15 NAD 83. The total Project area including the access road corridor and main Project area is 13.6 acres. Natural Environment and Soils: The Project area is located in the North Shore Highland Moraine Subsection ecological region of northern Minnesota (MNDNR 2017). The Project area consists primarily of land used since Euro-American settlement horticulture/agriculture on a small scale, commercial fishing, timber harvesting, and more recently, industrial mining. The Project is located in a general area of gradual downslope leading to the shore of Lake Superior, with rolling hills and a small number of wetlands. The Project area is located within the Beaver River drainage basin and the Lake Superior South Watershed (MNDNR 2017). Observation of soils from shovel testing match those reported by the NRCS for the general area. Soils within the Project area are classified by the USDA-NRCS as consisting primarily of Bowstring and Fluvaquents soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded (K2-10A)(75.3%); followed by Miskoaki-Fluvaquents, 0 to 45 percent slopes (E1-39E and E1-33E)(19.7%); and Cuttre complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes. Soils encountered in shovel tests corresponded well with the USDA classifications, with deep muck in the Bowstring and Fluvaquent area, and a 10 cm silt loam A horizon over a silty clay loam B horizon in the western margin of the survey area (NRCS 2017 and Appendix A). The majority of soils were inundated at shallow depths as a result of moisture retention from the spring thaw and ground saturation/flooding. Project Description: The purpose of the proposed Project is to restore impairments from stream bank erosion and excessive sedimentation caused by a historic rain event using natural channel design methodologies. The Project area includes a segment of the East Branch Beaver River located north of and adjacent to the Silver Bay Golf Course, in Silver Bay, Lake County, Minnesota. The Project area will be accessed via a temporary road leading from CR-4 through a woodland. The river will be re-routed using remnant backwater channels. The exact restoration location is currently in the planning phase but the channel will be located inside the area subjected to archaeological survey and investigation as shown in Figures One and Two. Literature Investigations: During the investigation, SHPO and MSHS cultural resources databases, modern and historical documents, and various files were examined for archaeological sites and cultural resources located with one mile of the proposed Project area (Figures Four and Five). 2
Sources included 19th and 20th century plat maps (e.g. Andreas 1874, MNGEO), land use records and descriptive histories for Lake County and the Beaver Bay Area (Bay Area Historical Society 1991, Lancaster 2008, and Williams 1975). In addition to published sources, the Lake County Historical Society in Two Harbors and the Beaver Bay Area Historical Society of Silver Bay were contacted for unpublished information. Available documents do not record any archaeological or other cultural resources to be located within the immediate areas of the proposed Project construction. The Beltzer family homestead and the burials of the two adults are widely known locally and were reported by the manager of the golf course, Ms. Norma O Leary. In addition to the more widely known adult burials, information of two additional infant burials was obtained during an interview with Ms. Jennifer Lopez (Betztler), the great-granddaughter of Joseph and Rosia Betzler (21-LK-0533 interned adults). Betzler Family Burials (21-LK-0533) The western investigation area is the previous location of the Joseph and Rosia Betzler family homestead. In addition to a small cabin (razed), people who were interviewed related that there may have been out-buildings at the location of the homestead, but none of the informants had actually seen the structures which were razed in the 1920s. The graves are located on top of a rise overlooking the Beaver River and Lake Superior shoreline. Two adult burials, Joseph Betzler (1846-1918) and his wife Rosia Betzler 1851-1920), are reported by the great-granddaughter of the adult interned, Ms. Jennifer Lopez, née Betztler (+/-86 years old when interviewed in March of 2017), to be located where the headstone is placed. In addition to the two adult burials, Ms. Lopez indicated there were two infant/child burials as well. Local legends report the graves were washed out of the hillside in the 1970s and the bodies floated down the river or alternatively the legs were sticking out of the hillside. In any case, Ms. Lopez confirmed that there were erosion issues near the burials and that the bodies were removed and reburied farther south away from the eroding bank. The two adult burials are exhumed and reburied intact and in their coffins (Ms. Lopez-personal communication). Minnesota Archaeological Inventory Database No archaeological sites have been previously reported within the immediate area of the proposed construction area or the environmental survey boundaries. Several archeological sites are reported to be located within the one-mile search radius but will not be affected by the planned Project activities (Figure Four). Minnesota Architecture-History Inventory Database No standing structures, cemeteries or bridges listed in the Minnesota Standing Structures Inventory or the Minnesota Archaeology Inventory were reported to be located within the immediate area of planned Project construction. Several standing structures are reported 3
to be located within the one-mile search radius but will not be affected by the planned Project activities (Figure Five). Archaeological Field Investigation: At the time of the field investigation, the entire survey area was covered in light 30 to 40- year-old forest or was landscaped and part of the Silver Bay Golf Course. No areas displayed surface visibility and the entire Project area was investigated using shovel testing methods for survey, with the exception of the golf course fairway and green areas (Golf Course management did not permit shovel testing), the steep slopes leading to the river, and the inundated areas of the river and river channel. All proposed work and Project areas were subjected to shovel probing at less than 15- meter intervals, with a total of 140 shovel tests made during the investigation. During shovel testing, the surface areas were also observed looking for evidence of Native American Mounds, Euro-American building foundations and all other cultural resources. The majority of soils located in and surrounding the ox-bows and seasonal channel that will be the location of the proposed river channel contain modern period (20-21 st Century) fluvial soils deposited from changes to the river course during flooding and after the spring thaw. No naturally deposited surface soils were observed to remain in the northern Project area near the CR-4 roadbed. Survey conditions encountered during field investigation of the Project area can be seen in Figures Seven-Eighteen. Aside from early 20 th century Euro-American trash objects observed on the surface (e.g. Figure Fourteen) no prehistoric or historic period Euro-American artifacts or archaeological features were observed in the investigation survey area. Study Results: The reported investigation did not identify any National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed properties, archaeological sites, or other types of cultural resources within immediate areas of the planned Project or within the visual APE that will be directly or indirectly subjected to adverse effect by the planned construction. The study identified the 21-LK-0533 archaeological site and human burial area during background investigations. The site area will not be physically disturbed by the proposed Project activities and will not be affected by the planned construction actives. The field investigation was limited in that landscaped areas of the golf course could not be shovel tested. However, the areas of the golf course are graded and filled in and have been heavily disturbed following lumber harvest, forest clearing and the grading/landscaping associated with creating the golf course. Areas of the golf course will not be physically impacted by the proposed Project activities and will only be used for temporary access road. As a result, the inability to test these areas during the investigation is not viewed as a problem for assessing the potential impact of the overall Project to cultural resources. 4
Based on the results of the investigation, the current Project design will not have direct or indirect adverse effects on NRHP listed properties, any currently identified archaeological or other cultural resources that appear to be eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. Recommendations: Based on the results of Phase I investigation, the construction of the proposed Project will not have adverse effect on NRHP properties, currently identified archaeological sites, standing structures, historical locations or other cultural resources. In response to study findings, the P.I. does not recommend any further cultural resource or archaeological investigations to be conducted prior to the proposed Project construction. It is important to note that any modifications to the Project design may require additional investigations and a modified survey report. If changes are made to plans, the SHPO should be consulted to ensure that compliance standards have been met prior to any construction at the proposed site location. In the event that any archaeological materials are encountered during the Project, it is recommended that all construction activities be brought to a halt and the SHPO should be consulted prior to continuing work. Pursuant to Federal and Minnesota State laws (Statute 307.08), should grave markers or human skeletal remains be encountered during construction, all activities in the find area are required to cease immediately and the MOSA must be contacted at 612-725-2411 for further instructions. 5
References Cited Andreas, A.T. 1874 Map of Northern Minnesota. A.T. Andreas Publishing, Chicago, Illinois. Anfinson, Scott 2001 State Historical Preservation Office Manual for Archaeological Projects in Minnesota. Revised version. State Historic Preservation Office, St. Paul. 2008 State Archaeologist s Procedures for Implementing Minnesota s Private Cemeteries Act (MS 307.08). State Historic Preservation Office, St. Paul, Minnesota. Lancaster, Daniel 2008 John Beargrease, Legend of Minnesota s North Shore. Holy Cow Press, Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 2012 Minnesota Watershed Basins. Viewed on-line April 26th, 2017. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watersheds/map.html Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MNGEO) Not dated http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/glo/index.htm Web site application for Government Land Office survey maps and field notes. Viewed on-line April 26th, 2017. National Park Service (NPS) 1983 Secretary of the Interior s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Current version available online at http://www.cr.nps.gov/locallaw/arch_stnds_0.htm. National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Not Dated http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app Web site application for U.S. Soil data. Viewed on-line April 27th, 2017. State Historical Preservation Office, Minnesota State Historical Society 2009 Guidelines for History/Architecture Projects in Minnesota. State Historical Preservation Office, Minnesota State Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota. Bay Area Historical Society 1991 Tall Tress and Dep Waters: A History of East Lake County. Bay Area Historical Society, Silver Bay, Minnesota. United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1982 Silver Bay MINN [map] 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series (Topographic), USGS Publishing Reston, Virginia. Williams, Elise S. 1975 Homesteading the Northshore. Iron Range Resource Library. Chisholm, Minnesota. 6
Figure One: Project location plotted 1:24,000 scale topographic map (USGS 1982). 7
Figure Two: Project location plotted on satellite imagery. 8
Figure Three: Project construction plans (Stantec). 9
Figure Four: Previously reported archaeological sites within general Project (MN SHPO). 10
Figure Five: Previously reported architectural and historical sites within general Project area (MN SHPO). 11
Figure Six: Location of shovel test within Project area. Shovel tests in the main Project area were made on transects left to right, right to left following the numbers on the outside of the Project area. 12
Figure Seven: Southern edge of Project area and 21-LK-0533. View to west. Figure Eight: Southern terminus of Project area and East Beaver River. View to north. 13
Figure Nine: Southern area of 21-LK-0533. View to northwest and possible foundation at center. Figure Ten: Central area of 21-LK-0533 and reported location of Betzler cabin. 14
Figure Eleven: Grave marker for Joseph and Rosia Betlzer at 21-LKJ-0533. Figure Twelve: Northern Project area for proposed temporary access road. View to north. 15
Figure Thirteen: Northern Terminus of Project Area at CR-4. View to south from CR-4. Figure Fourteen: Proposed temporary access road area. Early 20 th century metal barrel on surface. 16
Figure Fifteen: Central Project area. Existing river course. View to southeast. Figure Sixteen: Dry river channel and area of planned river redirection. View to north. 17
Figure Seventeen: Dry river channel and area of planned river redirection. View to south. Figure Eighteen: Area of planned river redirection. View to south. 18
Figure Seventeen: Southern terminus of Project area and existing river channel. View to south. Figure Eighteen: Southern terminus of Project area and existing river channel. View to south. 19
Appendix A-1 Simplified NRCS soil data plotted on orthographic image for the general Project area. 20
Appendix A-2 NRCS Soil Data for the general Project area (North). Page Two. 21
Appendix A-3 NRCS Soil Data for the general Project area (North). Page Two. 22
Appendix A-4 NRCS Soil Data for the general Project area (North). Page Three. 23
Appendix B-1 Site Form for 21-LC-0533 as submitted to OSA. Page One. 24
Appendix B-2 Site Form for 21-LC-0533 as submitted to OSA. Page Two. 25
Appendix B-3 Site Form for 21-LC-0533 as submitted to OSA. Page Three. 26
Appendix B-4 Site Form for 21-LC-0533 as submitted to OSA. Page Four. 27
Appendix B-5 Site Form Map for 21-LC-0533 as submitted to OSA. 28