APPENDIX E

SHPO Consultation, Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment, Phase IA Cultural

Resources Survey, and Historic Structures Report
Terracon Consultants, Inc. 955 Wells Street, Suite 100 St. Paul, Minnesota 55106

P (651) 770 1500 F (651) 770 1657 terracon.com

November 7, 2019

Des Moines Industrial LLC.

512 1/2 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Attn: Paul Cownie

P: (303) 710-9985

E: PaulCownie@DesMoinesIndustrial.com

Re: Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment

200 Southeast 15th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50317

Terracon Project Number: 08197038

Dear Mr. Cownie,

Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) conducted a cultural resources desktop assessment of a

proposed railroad industrial development in Des Moines, Iowa. This letter report details the findings of

the desktop assessment, which included the examination of historic maps and aerial photographs,

examination of the soils and geomorphology of the site, and a Site File Search conducted with the Iowa

Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) for information on previously recorded cultural resources within

or near the proposed project area.

 PROJECT INFORMATION

The proposed development consists of an approximately 40-acre parcel located near Southeast 15th

Street in Des Moines, Iowa. East Market Street runs along the northern boundary of the project area

and Southeast Connector Trail runs along its southern boundary. The proposed project area is depicted

on the United States Geological Survey 7.5’ Des Moines SE (1956, photorevised 1967, 1971, and

1976) in Exhibit 1. The legal location of the project area is the S1/2 of Section 2 and the SE1/4 of

Section 3 in Township 78 North, Range 24 West, in Polk County, Iowa. An aerial photograph of the

proposed project area can be seen in Exhibit 2. The proposed project involves the construction of a

railroad transload facility.

 RECORDS SEARCH AND BACKGROUND RESEARCH

2.1 Iowa Site File Search

A records search request was submitted to the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) for

information regarding previously identified archaeological sites within or near the proposed project

area. Colleen Randolph, OSA Records Manager, conducted the search of the Iowa Cultural Resources
Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment

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Site File and returned the results via email. The records search reported that no archaeological sites

have been previously recorded within the project area or within 328 feet (100 meters) of the project

area. The site file search did note that 45 archaeological sites have been identified within one mile of

the project area. These sites are summarized in Table 1. A total of 21 locations were also identified in

the Historic Indian Location Database (HILD) or as Notable Locations, which are sites identified in

historic records that have not been definitively located through fieldwork. These locations are

summarized in Table 2. One of these locations, HILD 1108, is depicted as including the western portion

of the project area, though this location has not been verified within the project area through

archaeological survey. The Site File search shows that two cultural resources surveys have previously

been conducted within portions of the project area, and did not record cultural resources within the

surveyed areas.

Given the archaeological sensitivity of the project area, it was recommended by Ms. Randolph that

John Doershuk, the Iowa State Archaeologist, and Lara Noldner, Director of the OSA Bioarchaeology

Program, be consulted regarding concerns they had regarding the project location. Terracon’s Principal

Investigator, Suzanne Reece, had a conference call with Mr. Doershuk and Ms. Noldner on August 16,

2019. This call addressed the fact there are known disturbances within the project area, but the project

area retains heightened archaeological potential given its location between numerous, prehistoric and

historic sites near the East Village neighborhood of Des Moines. It was also noted that the project area

is located in between the reported locations of several Meskwaki settlements, and at the very least,

portions of the project area likely would have seen some utilization while traveling between these

locations.

Table 1. Archaeology Sites Previously Recorded Within One Mile of the Project Area.

Site Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

13PK61 Multi-component prehistoric and historic site 0.75 mile

13PK349 Late Prehistoric and Woodland mounds 1 mile

13PK350 Late Prehistoric and Woodland mounds 1 mile

13PK372 Archaic isolated find; historic Euro-American structural remains;

historic recreational 0.75 mile

13PK373 Historic Euro-American structural remains; historic recreational 0.75 mile

13PK375 Historic Euro-American industrial and military 1 mile

13PK534 Historic Euro-American industrial 1 mile

13PK622 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.3 mile

13PK623 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.4 mile

13PK624 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.4 mile

13PK625 Historic Euro-American scatter 1 mile

13PK657 Historic Euro-American school 0.8 mile

13PK658 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.7 mile
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Site Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

13PK674 Historic Euro-American structural remains 0.75 mile

13PK839 Prehistoric isolated finds; historic Euro-American structural

remains; railroad related; industrial 1 mile

13PK840 Isolated burials; historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.2 mile

13PK856 Late Prehistoric artifact scatter; Late Woodland artifact scatter;

historic farm/residence 1 mile

13PK860 Historic dump 0.6 mile

13PK861 Historic industrial 0.6 mile

13PK862 Historic cemetery 0.8 mile

13PK875 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains; historic Indian

structure/building remains 0.25 mile

13PK876 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains; historic Indian

structure/building remains 0.3 mile

13PK878 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.75 mile

13PK879 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.75 mile

13PK880 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.8 mile

13PK881 Historic Euro-American military 0.75 mile

13PK884 Historic Euro-American railroad related 0.8 mile

13PK885 Woodland mounds; Late Prehistoric mounds 0.9 mile

13PK917 Historic farm/residence 0.75 mile

13PK918 Historic industrial 0.75 mile

13PK928 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.4 mile

13PK929 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.7 mile

13PK943 Historic dump 0.5 mile

13PK944 Historic Euro-American railroad related 0.75 mile

13PK951 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.2 mile

13PK954 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.75 mile

13PK958 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.7 mile

13PK959 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.3 mile

13PK966 Middle Archaic open habitation, village, prehistoric scatter, and

isolated burials 1 mile

13PK972 Prehistoric isolated find 0.8 mile

13PK983 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.85 mile

13PK990 Historic dump; historic artifact scatter 0.5 mile

13PK1051 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.5 mile

13PK1073 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.2 mile

13PK1077 Historic Euro-American farm/residence; historic scatter 0.6 mile
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Table 2. HILD and Notable Location Database Results Within One Mile of the Project Area.

Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

XX2 Des Moines Mound Terrace 1 mile

XX52 Fort Des Moines No.2 Buildings 1 mile

XX53 Fort Des Moines No. 2 Buildings 1 mile

XX139 Homeless camp 0.75 mile

XX140 Homeless camp 0.75 mile

XX677 Fort Des Moines Historical Site/Marker 1 mile

XX727 Handcart Trail – Des Moines River crossing 0.7 mile

XX6661 Lower Agency Cemetery/Agency Bottoms Cemetery/Old Eastside

Cemetery 0.2 mile

XX6682 Location of an isolated pioneer burial discovered in the 1870s 0.5 mile

XX6562 Civil War Rendezvous Camp 0.25 mile

HILD 154 Sauk and Meskwaki Racetrack 1 mile

HILD 162 1834-5 Dragoon Camp; 1841 Sauk Meskwaki Camp 0.3 mile

HILD 159 Dirt Lodge trading post 0.75 mile

HILD 702 Trading post? 1841 0.6 mile

HILD 157 Fort Des Moines 2 1 mile

HILD 164 Phelps trading post T17 0.3 mile

HILD 155 Sauk and Meskwaki Games 0.9 mile

HILD 163 Raccoon Agency 0.25 mile

HILD 158 Ewing Post, Scott House 0.6 mile

HILD 1077 AIM Takeover, 1973 0.4 mile

HILD 1108 Huge Sauk and Meskwaki Camp 1841 0 mile

A search of the historical structural inventory maintained by the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office

(SHPO) was conducted with records manager Berry Bennett. This inventory reported information on

hundreds of previously recorded structures within one mile of the project area, but did not identify

historical-age structures recorded within the project area. None of the National Register of Historic

Places (NRHP) eligible or listed districts that currently exist within downtown Des Moines cross through

the proposed project area.

2.2 Investigation of Historic Maps, Atlases, and Aerial Photographs

A series of historic plat maps and atlases were examined via the Historic Map Works (2019) website

for information on possible historic site locations. A total of seven such maps were examined (Andreas

1875, Hixson 1930, Huebinger 1904, Kenyon 1914, McVicker 1872, Stacy 1947, and Warner and Foote

1885). These atlases and plat maps depict the development of much of the project area as a railroad

corridor beginning in 1872 and continuing to the present day. One General Land Office (GLO) survey
Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment

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map accessed through the Bureau of Land Management’s online GLO database depicts the project

area as primarily consisting of wetlands in 1848. One United States Geological Survey 7.5’

Topographic quadrangle was also examined for possible historic site locations. The Des Moines SE

(1956, photorevised 1967, 1971, and 1976) quadrangle depicts seven structures along the southern

boundary of the project area. Aerial photographs show these structures were no longer extant by 1990.

Aerial photographs also depict a junkyard within the eastern half of the project area from 1990 to 2011.

Portions of the project area also saw industrial and infrastructure development during this time,

including the creation of seepage basins along Highway 69.

2.3 Environmental and Geomorphological Review

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Web Soil Survey depicts two soils within the

proposed project area: Urban land and Nodaway silt loam with 0 to 2 percent slopes that is occasionally

flooded. The NRCS assigns “Urban land” to areas that have been heavily developed to the extent that

the natural soils are no longer readily identifiable, and this classification makes up most (approximately

92 percent) of the project area. Nodaway silt loam with 0 to 2 percent slopes that is occasionally flooded

is found in approximately 5 percent of the project area. This soil can create prime farmland, and is

typically found on talfs of flood plains. It is occasionally prone to flooding, and its profile typically

presents as a silt loam Ap horizon from 0 to 7 inches below ground surface overlying a silt loam C

horizon, which can reach depths as great as 80 inches (NRCS 2019). The NRCS identified the

remainder of the project area (3 percent) as consisting of standing water.

The United States Geological Survey 7.5’ Des Moines SE (1956, photorevised 1967, 1971, and 1976)

quadrangle depicts the project area within a mostly flat urban environment, with evidence that portions

of the project area are located in a former channel of the Des Moines River. The current channel of the

Des Moines River is located approximately 0.6 mile to the west of the project area, and approximately

0.7 mile to the south of the project area. This location places the project area within the northern edge

of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain (Prior 1991). This physiographic region is the largest of those identified

in Iowa, and is characterized by well-developed drainage systems that have eroded and shaped upland

areas, leaving a landscape bisected by rills and ravines. Steeply rolling hills are also a common

topographic feature of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain (Prior 1991).

 SUMMARY

No cultural resources have been previously recorded within the proposed project area, though the

western portion of the project area does potentially contain resources related to a Sauk and Meskwaki

Camp from 1841 (HILD 1108). Numerous archaeological sites are, however, known to be in the vicinity

of the project area, suggesting there is a high level of archaeological potential within the subject

property. This combined with the complex depositional conditions expected within a former river

channel of the Des Moines River suggested early on to Terracon that a desktop assessment alone

would not be sufficient to make a recommendation on the possibility of cultural resources being present
Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment

Des Moines Industrial ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 7, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

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within the project area. As a result, Terracon recommended to Des Moines Industrial, LLC. that a

geoarchaeological survey be conducted of the proposed project area, and said study was carried out

in September 2019. The results of the geoarchaeological survey were used to guide a targeted Phase

IA archaeological survey of the proposed project area.

Thank you for the opportunity to conduct this desktop archaeological assessment.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA

Principal Investigator - Archaeology Cultural Resources Dept. Manager
Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment

Des Moines Industrial ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 7, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

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 REFERENCES

Andreas, A.T.

1875 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa. A.T. Andreas, Chicago.

Bureau of Land Management

2019 General Land Office Records. Bureau of Land Management, United States

Department of the Interior. Washington, D.C. https://glorecords.blm.gov/.

Historic Map Works

 2019 Historic Map Works, Historic Map Works, LLC., South Portland, Maine.

 www.historicmapworks.com/.

Hixson, W.W., and Company

1930 Plat Book of the State of Iowa. W.W. Hixson and Company, Rockford, Illinois.

Huebinger, M., and Company

1904 Atlas of the State of Iowa. M. Huebinger and Company, Davenport, Iowa.

Kenyon Company

1914 Atlas and Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. The Kenyon Company, Des Moines,

Iowa.

McVicker, Geo A.

1872 Map of Polk County, Iowa. Geo A. McVicker, Chicago.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

2019 Web Soil Survey. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington,

D.C. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/

Prior, Jean C.

1991 Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, Iowa.

Stacy Map Publishers

1947 Stacy’s Farm Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. Stacy Map Publishers, Rockford,

Illinois.

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

1956 Des Moines SE, Iowa. Quadrangle. 7.5 Minute Topographic. Photorevised 1967, 1971,

and 1976. United States Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
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Warner, Geo. E., and C.M. Foote

1885 Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. Warner & Foote, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 1/4 MILE

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T1.dwg

E2

11/4/2019 TOPOGRAPHIC SITE MAP

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

1

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515) 244-3184 FAX. (515) 244-5249

TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGE FROM IOWA GEOGRAPHIC MAP SERVER MAINTAINED BY

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY AND MIT - http://cairo.gis.iastate.edu/map.html

LEGEND

- BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA

PROJECT SITE
SE 12TH STREET SE 13TH STREET

SE 14TH STREET

SE 15TH STREET

SE 16TH STREET

SE ASTOR DR

SE 18TH STREET SE 11TH ST

W STREET

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARKWAY

SCOTT AVENUE E VINE STREET 

NORTH APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 500' Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name: Project No. Date: EXHIBIT 08197038-T1.dwg E3 11/4/2019 SITE DIAGRAM JAH JAL 08197038-T1 2 DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER 200 SE 15TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists 600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515) 244-3184 FAX. (515) 244-5249 LEGEND AERIAL PHOTO FROM GOOGLE EARTH - BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

Proposed Railroad Transload Facility

Federal Railroad Administration, Project Sponsor

Section 2 and 3, T78N, R24W

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Terracon Project No. 08197038

Issued: November 8, 2019

Information contained in this report relating

to the nature and location of archaeological

sites is considered private and confidential

and not for public disclosure in accordance

with Section 304 of the National Historic

Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 307103); 36

CFR Part 800.6 (a)(5) of the Advisory

Council on Historic Preservation’s rules

implementing Sections 106 and 110 of the

Act; Section 9(a) of the Archaeological

Resource Protection Act (54 U.S.C. §

100707) and, Chapter 22.7, subsection 20

of the Iowa Code.

Prepared for:

Des Moines Industrial LLC.

Des Moines, Iowa

Prepared by:

Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA, Principal Investigator

Terracon Consultants, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................. i

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Project Description ............................................................................................ 1

1.2 Environmental Context ...................................................................................... 1

1.3 Geomorphological Context ............................................................................... 2

1.4 Geoarchaeological Survey of the Project Area ................................................ 3

1.5 Project Purpose and Scope of Work ................................................................ 4

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT .................................................................... 5

2.1 Site File Search and Historic Inventory Search ............................................... 7

FIELDWORK METHODS .............................................................................................. 10

RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 10

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................... 11

REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 12

APPENDIX A – Project Maps

APPENDIX B – Historical Atlases and Plat Maps

APPENDIX C – Project Photographs

APPENDIX D – National Archaeological Database (NADB) Form

APPENDIX E – Resumes

APPENDIX F – Geoarchaeological Survey Report
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

Des Moines Industrial ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 8, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

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ABSTRACT

A Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey was conducted in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa for Des

Moines Industrial LLC. of Des Moines, Iowa for a proposed railroad transload facility within an

industrial area of Des Moines. The proposed project is funded by the Federal Railroad

Administration (FRA). Because the project involves federal funding, the Phase IA Cultural

Resources Survey was conducted to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq.); the investigation was

conducted utilizing the Association of Iowa Archaeologists Guidelines (2018). Prior to conducting

the Phase IA investigation, a desktop assessment and geoarchaeological survey were conducted.

These prior studies were used to guide the Phase IA survey.

The proposed undertaking consists of an approximately 40-acre parcel located near Southeast

15th Street in Des Moines, Iowa. East Market Street runs along the northern boundary of the

project area and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway runs along its southern boundary. This report

details the Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey performed by Terracon Consultants, Inc.

(Terracon) of the proposed project area and summarizes the geoarchaeological survey of the

project area that was previously conducted by Impact 7G for Terracon. Suzanne Reece, MSc,

RPA, served as Principal Investigator, and the project was conducted with the assistance of

Archaeological Crew Chief Samantha Hunt. The Phase IA survey was conducted on October 23

and 24, 2019.

The fieldwork involved a pedestrian survey of the project area and documentation of structural

remains within the project area. No shovel tests were excavated within the project area based on

the findings and recommendations from the geoarchaeological survey, the presence of extensive

modern surface debris, and existing, active infrastructure. This fieldwork did not identify previously

unrecorded cultural resources within the project area. Given the extensive ground disturbances

within the project area, as well as the geomorphological findings, it is unlikely that intact cultural

resources are present within the accessible portions of the project area. A determination of no

historic properties affected is recommended.
Phase I Cultural Resources Survey

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November 7, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

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 INTRODUCTION

Information contained in this report relating to the nature and location of archaeological sites is

considered private and confidential and not for public disclosure in accordance with Section 304

of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 307103); 36 CFR Part 800.6 (a)(5) of the

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s rules implementing Sections 106 and 110 of the Act;

Section 9(a) of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (54 U.S.C. § 100707) and, Chapter

22.7, subsection 20 of the Iowa Code.

Des Moines Industrial LLC. is planning to construct a railroad transload facility within an industrial

corridor of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The project is being funded through the Federal

Railroad Administration (FRA). The property currently contains several rail lines, seepage basins,

and undeveloped land. The Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey was conducted to comply with

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. § 300101

et seq.) and utilized the Association of Iowa Archaeologists Guidelines (2018). Terracon’s

Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA, served as the Principal Investigator for the Phase IA Cultural

Resources Survey. Fieldwork was carried out with the assistance of Archaeological Crew Chief

Samantha Hunt. The survey was conducted on October 23 and 24, 2019. Data, field notes, and

photographs and other records generated by the project will be curated in the Terracon office in

Des Moines.

1.1 Project Description

The proposed development consists of an approximately 40-acre parcel located near Southeast

15th Street in Des Moines, Iowa. It is located between East Market Street to the north and East

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to the south. The proposed project area and the anticipated area

of potential effect (APE) is depicted on the United States Geological Survey 7.5’ Des Moines SE

(1956, photorevised 1967, 1971, and 1976) in Appendix A, Exhibit 1. The legal location of the

project area is the S1/2 of Section 2 and the SE1/4 of Section 3 in Township 78 North, Range 24

West, in Polk County, Iowa. An aerial photograph of the proposed project area can be seen in

Appendix A, Exhibit 2. The proposed project involves the construction of a railroad transload

facility, which includes an office/warehouse, a transloading pad, proposed salt building, a wetland

restoration and stormwater pond, and an aggregate storage pile (Appendix A, Exhibit 3). The lead

federal agency for the proposed project is the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

1.2 Environmental Context

The project area is located within a former river valley formed by the Des Moines River. The

changing course of the river over time has left the topography of the project area mostly flat,

though the former river terrace and floodplain can be discerned in areas that have not been fully

developed. The project area is in a largely industrial area of Des Moines, and has had railroad

tracks crossing through it since at least 1872. It has historically been an area filled with wetlands
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and been undesirable for further development, save for a few structures along the southern edge

and a junkyard that was previously located on the eastern half of the property. Aside from the rail

lines and junkyard, the project area has seen disturbances from the installation of stormwater

retention infrastructure, utilities, and road projects.

At the time of the Phase IA survey, vegetation within the project area primarily consisted of short

grasses, forbs, and deciduous trees. The ground surface visibility ranged from 25 to 100 percent,

with an average ground surface visibility of 70 percent. Evidence of extensive amount of ground

disturbances were present within the project area, including push piles of soil and debris, as well

as man-made berms. The elevation of the project area averages approximately 800 feet above

mean sea level (AMSL). The nearest permanent body of water is the Des Moines River, which is

located approximately 0.7 miles to the west of the project area.

1.3 Geomorphological Context

Prior (1991) depicts the project area as being located along the northern edge of the Southern

Iowa Drift Plain, and just south of the Bemis Moraine. The Southern Iowa Drift Plain is the largest

of Iowa’s landform regions, and it is characterized by rolling hills, complex and interconnected

drainage networks, and Pre-Illinoian glacial drift that has seen drastic modification through

erosional processes. In some portions of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain, the Pre-Illinoian glacial

drift has been overlain with up to 30 feet of windblown Wisconsinan-age loess, while other portions

of the drift plain have been worn away to the bedrock by moving water. As a result, there is great

variability in the appearance of the landforms within this landform region, but all have been created

through a series of depositional and erosional events over time, even if said landforms may not

be immediately apparent in the developed areas of Des Moines.

The location of the project area within a former channel of the Des Moines River suggests that

the natural processes of the river have caused both erosion and deposition of alluvium within and

adjacent to the project area. Given the age of the drainage system associated with the Des Moines

River, this process has been occurring for approximately 10,000 years (OSA 2019). The Iowa

Geological Survey has separated the alluvium found in Iowa river and stream valleys into four

lithostratigraphic units of the Deforest Formation, including: the Camp Creek Member, the Roberts

Creek Member, the Gunder Member, and the Corrington Member (Bettis 1990; Bettis et al. 1992;

OSA 2019). The Deforest Formation consists of silty, clayey, loamy, and sandy valley fill alluvial

sediments from the Holocene, and these soils can be found across Iowa and surrounding

Midwestern states (Bettis 1990; Bettis et al. 1992). Deforest Formation soils have been identified

as possessing high archaeological potential, and the Deforest Formation is the oldest stratigraphic

unit that archaeological deposits have been identified in Iowa (Bettis 1990). The four

lithostratigraphic units that the Deforest Formation has been separated are in part defined by the

timing of their deposition, and as such there is a variability in the archaeological potential of the

four soils (OSA 2019). The Corrington Member soils were deposited between 9,000 to 2,500

years before the present, while the Gunder Member soils were deposited between 10,500 and

3,000 years before the present. Roberts Creek soils were deposited between 4,000 and 500 years
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

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before the present, and the Camp Creek Member soils were deposited between 400 years ago

to today. As a result, Roberts Creek and Camp Creek Member soils have a high possibility of

containing archaeological deposits ranging from the Late Archaic to the historic age.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Web Soil Survey (2019) identified two soils

within the proposed project area. Urban land is identified within approximately 92 percent of the

project area. The NRCS defines this classification as “areas that are covered by buildings, roads,

streets, parking lots, mobile home parks, auto salvage yards, and railroad yards. The original soils

can no longer be identified” (NRCS 2000: 121). The second soil identified within the project area

is Nodaway silt loam with 0 to 2 percent slopes that is occasionally flooded. This soil is found in

approximately five percent of the project area, with the remaining three percent of being

considered identified as containing standing water. Nodaway silt loam is associated with the

Camp Creek Member of the Deforest Formation, and is typically located on talfs of flood plains.

This soil can create prime farmland, but it is occasionally prone to flooding. Its profile typically

presents as a silt loam Ap horizon from 0 to 7 inches below ground surface overlying a silt loam

C horizon which can reach depths as great as 80 inches (NRCS 2019).

Given that most of the project area has been identified as urban land, it should be noted that

considerable effort has been made to reconstruct the natural geomorphology of Des Moines and

the Des Moines River Valley by both geomorphologists and geoarchaeologists. In addition to

Wisconsinan terraces identified around Des Moines, these studies have identified three main

Holocene terraces within the Des Moines River valley. These three terraces consist of a Low

Terrace that is historic in age, a late Holocene Intermediate Terrace, and a High Terrace that has

been identified as early to middle Holocene in age. Geomorphological and geoarchaeological

studies that have been conducted in downtown Des Moines have found that complex depositional

conditions are present, with overlapping Intermediate and Low Terraces and variable deposits of

urban fill (Brice, Petrides, and Associates 1985).

Geomorphological and archaeological work carried out for the CBD Loop Arterial Construction

Project also examined the conditions found in the Des Moines and Racoon River valleys, and

came to several important conclusions (Mandel 1982; Brice, Petrides, and Associates 1985).

Among their findings, it was determined that in the flood plains of the Des Moines and Racoon

Rivers, there is significant potential for the existence of prehistoric deposits located below historic

era-alluvial deposits. Mandel (1982) and Brice, Petrides, and Associates (1985) also found that

there is low potential for buried prehistoric sites on the bluffs surrounding the river valleys, but

there is high potential for prehistoric sites at the ground surface in areas where river bluffs have

not been disturbed.

1.4 Geoarchaeological Survey of the Project Area

Given the complex geomorphological conditions that have been previously identified within the

vicinity of the project area, a geoarchaeological study was conducted by Brandon Scott of Impact

7G prior to the Phase IA survey. This study also was limited to the approximately 40 acres of the
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

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project area where landowner access agreements were able to be obtained. A copy of this report

is be included with the submission of this Phase IA survey report to the Iowa State Historic

Preservation Office (SHPO) for review (see Appendix F).

A total of 12 cores were extracted and examined by the geoarchaeological survey, and found that

the project area primarily consists of alluvial landforms that have been covered by dense historic

fill. Each of the 12 cores identified fill episodes within the examined cores, with some cores

identifying one major fill deposit while other cores identified up to five different significant episodes

of fill deposition with the deepest fill deposition extending to 383 cm below the ground surface in

Core 7. The soils identified by the geoarchaeological investigation suggest much of the project

area would have been “perennially wet and inhospitable for extended human settlement” (Scott

2019). Other soils identified by the geoarchaeological study were found to be too young to be

likely to contain significant archaeological deposits. In summary, the geoarchaeological survey

found that the geomorphological conditions and landforms identified within the site would not be

conducive to long term human settlement or occupation or the project area.

Based on these findings, historical research, and known modern disturbances to the project area,

Scott recommended that no further archaeological work was necessary in areas where

geoarchaeological testing was able to be conducted. Restrictions on property access and

standing water prevented testing of some portions of the project area from being examined by

Scott, and these same restrictions impacted the Phase IA survey as well.

1.5 Project Purpose and Scope of Work

The Phase IA investigation was conducted for the purpose of determining if cultural resources are

present within the proposed project area and, if so, identify the boundaries, integrity, and the

temporal or cultural context of the encountered resource. Identified resources will also be

evaluated for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The Scope of Work for this project included conducting historic and environmental background

research of the project area. This was done through conducting records searches, examining

historic atlases, plat maps, and historic aerial photographs, as well as reviewing previous

archaeological and geomorphological studies conducted within and adjacent to the project area.

Following the review of these records, a focused Phase IA strategy was developed based on the

recent geoarchaeological study of the project area (Scott 2019). As the areas recommended by

this report for further subsurface investigations are no longer included within the project area, the

Phase IA survey primarily consisted of a pedestrian survey and documentation of surface level

conditions to assess the likelihood of cultural resources being present at the surface or near

surface of the project area. This collected data will be reviewed and a recommendation on the

effect the proposed project will have on cultural resources will be made and presented in this

technical report.
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

The general cultural sequence of Iowa follows the statewide cultural context delineations

described by the Office of the State Archaeologist, which include the Paleoindian, Archaic,

Woodland, and Late Prehistoric, and Historic periods.

Paleoindian Period (11500 – 8500 BCE)

The Paleoindian Period in Iowa presented a series of significant geomorphological,

environmental, and climatic changes that drastically altered the lifeways of the people living in the

region. Many of these changes were preceded by the retreat of glaciers across the Upper

Midwest. The receding glaciers deposited moraines, soils, and water across the state, and the

shifting landscape combined with the environmental changes allowed for the emergence of a

taiga ecosystem (Schermer et al. 1995), Over time, the taiga gave way to woodlands, which were

the most common environment found within Iowa during the Paleoindian Period. Paleoindian sites

that have been investigated suggests that human occupation at this time primarily consisted of

hunter gatherers societies, who had the capabilities and technology to effectively hunt large game

animals such as bison, mastodon, and mammoth (Schermer et al. 1995). The artifact type most

commonly associated with this period is fluted, lanceolate points, such as Clovis and Folsom

points, though a variety of stone tools made of a wide variety of materials have also been identified

from this period in Iowa.

Archaic Period (8500 – 800 BCE)

The Paleoindian Period gave way to the Archaic Period, where communities of hunters and

foragers became more common. The end of the last glacial period led to changes in the

environment including changes in the plant and animal life. This allowed the Archaic inhabitants

of the area to establish less nomadic lifestyles and access resources that were previously

unavailable. Due to the longer habitation of locations by Archaic peoples, there is greater

archaeological evidence of their lifestyles than previous inhabitants. During the Middle Archaic

(5500 to 2500 BCE) in Iowa, these settlements tended to be near sources of fresh water; however,

the shifting environment caused large deposits of silt to fill river valleys and streams (Schermer

et al. 1995). As a result, the archaeological evidence for the lifeways of the people of the Middle

Archaic is minimal. Human populations continued to grow throughout the Archaic Period, and by

the Late Archaic (2500 BCE – 500 BC), larger, more permanent settlements begin to develop.

These settlements allowed for the creation of more complex social interactions and trade

networks, as well as new cultural institutions such as communal cemeteries (Schermer et al.

1995).

Woodland Period (800 BCE – 1250)

The Woodland Period is defined by the emergence of pottery containers, burial mounds, and

agriculture. Hunter-gatherer lifestyles were still predominating, with expanded exploitation of
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

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riverine resources such as fish and clams as sources of protein (Schermer et al. 1995). The rapid

climate and topographic changes experienced in earlier periods began to slow, and the area that

would one day be Iowa became covered in a blend of prairies and forests. Changes in artifact

typologies and settlement patterns occurred throughout this period, and these social and cultural

changes resulted eventually created social and cultural contexts that would lead to the emergence

of distinct tribal groups.

Late Prehistoric Period (1250 – 1673)

The Late Prehistoric Period is marked by the emergence of the Plains Village cultural context.

The hallmarks of this cultural context included expanded agricultural practices, including crop

diversification. Bison remained a key component of the diets and lifeways of people of the Late

Prehistoric. Despite these commonalities, distinctive cultural groups continued to emerge, such

as the Great Oasis, Mill Creek, and Oneota cultures. Each of these groups developed distinct

pottery, lithics, lodgings, and cultural practices that can be used by modern archaeologists to link

the populations of the past with modern descendant communities.

Historic (1673 – Present)

The initial contact between Native Americans and Europeans in Iowa first began through tribal

trade networks. European trade goods arrived in the area before European traders and settlers,

and quickly began to change the lives of the original inhabitants of the region. However, trade

goods were not the only things exchanged at these meetings, as the European intrusion into the

area also introduced new cultural practices as well as disease. Tribal communities were

decimated by diseases, and the expansion westward of European traders, fur trappers, and

settlers from the eastern coasts also forced relocations of tribal groups. Tribes originally from the

Great Lakes region such as the Winnebago, Sauk, and Mesquakie (Fox) began to settle in Iowa

in the 1700s, until the continued expansion of European and European-American settlers

continued to push them westward (Schermer et al. 1995).

The land that would become Iowa was obtained by the United States in 1762. The establishment

of military forts, fur trade posts, and the accessibility of the area by river travel intensified the

European-American occupation of what would become Iowa. Iowa became a state in 1846, and

portions of the state were opened to settlers shortly after. Small towns began to emerge

throughout the state by 1850; these towns were connected through railroad networks that not only

hastened settlement, but also exploitation of natural resources found within Iowa, such as coal.

These changes further disenfranchised the Native American population of the state, pushing tribal

groups out of their traditional homelands into other parts of the country and, over time, into

reservations. The archaeological sites related to the historic period are distinctly different from

earlier phases of human occupation in this part of the country, especially as manufactured goods

became prevalent. Written histories and maps of the area also become more common, which

allow for easier identification of historic site locations.
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At the time of Euro-American expansion into Iowa, the lands around the confluence of the

Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers were under the control of the Sauk and Mesquakie (Fox). This

and other tribal lands in central Iowa were ceded to the United States in a treaty in 1842. In 1843,

construction began on a military fort that would come to be known as Fort Des Moines, despite a

previous fort bearing the same name. Settlers could claim land in central Iowa beginning in 1845,

and the fort became the epicenter for settlers and traders. As Des Moines expanded outwards,

the Des Moines River Valley, which had been an epicenter of human settlement since the retreat

of the glacial ice sheets, continued to be developed commercially, residentially, and industrially.

2.1 Site File Search and Historic Inventory Search

A records search request was submitted to the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) for

information regarding previously identified archaeological sites within or near the proposed project

area. Colleen Randolph, OSA Records Manager, conducted the search of the Iowa Cultural

Resources Site File and returned the results via email. The records search reported that no

archaeological sites have been previously recorded within the project area or within 328 feet (100

meters) of the project area. The site file search did note that 45 archaeological sites have been

identified within one mile of the project area. These sites are summarized in Table 1. A total of 21

locations were also identified in the Historic Indian Location Database (HILD) or as Notable

Locations, which are sites identified in historic records that have not been definitively located

through fieldwork. These locations are summarized in Table 2. One of these locations, HILD 1108,

is depicted as including the western portion of the project area, though this location has not been

verified within the project area through survey. The Site File search shows that two cultural

resources surveys have previously been conducted within portions of the project area, and did

not record cultural resources within the surveyed areas.

A Historic Inventory Search was conducted by Berry Bennett, SHPO Preservation Program

Manager, for information regarding previously recorded historic-age structures recorded within or

near the project area This inventory reported information on hundreds of previously recorded

structures within one mile of the project area, but did not identify historical-age structures recorded

within the project area. None of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible or listed

districts that currently exist within downtown Des Moines cross through the proposed project area.

Table 1. Archaeology Sites Previously Recorded Within One Mile of the Project Area.

Site Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

13PK61 Multi-component prehistoric and historic site 0.75 mile

13PK349 Late Prehistoric and Woodland mounds 1 mile

13PK350 Late Prehistoric and Woodland mounds 1 mile

13PK372 Archaic isolated find; historic Euro-American structural remains; historic

recreational 0.75 mile

13PK373 Historic Euro-American structural remains; historic recreational 0.75 mile

13PK375 Historic Euro-American industrial and military 1 mile
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Site Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

13PK534 Historic Euro-American industrial 1 mile

13PK622 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.3 mile

13PK623 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.4 mile

13PK624 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.4 mile

13PK625 Historic Euro-American scatter 1 mile

13PK657 Historic Euro-American school 0.8 mile

13PK658 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.7 mile

13PK674 Historic Euro-American structural remains 0.75 mile

13PK839 Prehistoric isolated finds; historic Euro-American structural remains;

railroad related; industrial 1 mile

13PK840 Isolated burials; historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.2 mile

13PK856 Late Prehistoric artifact scatter; Late Woodland artifact scatter; historic

farm/residence 1 mile

13PK860 Historic dump 0.6 mile

13PK861 Historic industrial 0.6 mile

13PK862 Historic cemetery 0.8 mile

13PK875 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains; historic Indian

structure/building remains 0.25 mile

13PK876 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains; historic Indian

structure/building remains 0.3 mile

13PK878 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.75 mile

13PK879 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.75 mile

13PK880 Historic Euro-American structure/building remains 0.8 mile

13PK881 Historic Euro-American military 0.75 mile

13PK884 Historic Euro-American railroad related 0.8 mile

13PK885 Woodland mounds; Late Prehistoric mounds 0.9 mile

13PK917 Historic farm/residence 0.75 mile

13PK918 Historic industrial 0.75 mile

13PK928 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.4 mile

13PK929 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.7 mile

13PK943 Historic dump 0.5 mile

13PK944 Historic Euro-American railroad related 0.75 mile

13PK951 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.2 mile

13PK954 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.75 mile

13PK958 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.7 mile

13PK959 Historic Euro-American cemetery 0.3 mile

13PK966 Middle Archaic open habitation, village, prehistoric scatter, and isolated

burials 1 mile

13PK972 Prehistoric isolated find 0.8 mile

13PK983 Historic Euro-American farm/residence 0.85 mile

13PK990 Historic dump; historic artifact scatter 0.5 mile

13PK1051 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.5 mile

13PK1073 Historic Euro-American scatter 0.2 mile

13PK1077 Historic Euro-American farm/residence; historic scatter 0.6 mile
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Table 2. HILD and Notable Location Database Results Within One Mile of the Project Area.

Number Description

Approx.

Distance from

Project Area

XX2 Des Moines Mound Terrace 1 mile

XX52 Fort Des Moines No.2 Buildings 1 mile

XX53 Fort Des Moines No. 2 Buildings 1 mile

XX139 Homeless camp 0.75 mile

XX140 Homeless camp 0.75 mile

XX677 Fort Des Moines Historical Site/Marker 1 mile

XX727 Handcart Trail – Des Moines River crossing 0.7 mile

XX6661 Lower Agency Cemetery/Agency Bottoms Cemetery/Old Eastside

Cemetery 0.2 mile

XX6682 Location of an isolated pioneer burial discovered in the 1870s 0.5 mile

XX6562 Civil War Rendezvous Camp 0.25 mile

HILD 154 Sauk and Meskwaki Racetrack 1 mile

HILD 162 1834-5 Dragoon Camp; 1841 Sauk Meskwaki Camp 0.3 mile

HILD 159 Dirt Lodge trading post 0.75 mile

HILD 702 Trading post? 1841 0.6 mile

HILD 157 Fort Des Moines 2 1 mile

HILD 164 Phelps trading post T17 0.3 mile

HILD 155 Sauk and Meskwaki Games 0.9 mile

HILD 163 Raccoon Agency 0.25 mile

HILD 158 Ewing Post, Scott House 0.6 mile

HILD 1077 AIM Takeover, 1973 0.4 mile

HILD 1108 Huge Sauk and Meskwaki Camp 1841 0 mile

A series of historic plat maps and atlases were examined via the Historic Map Works (2019)

website for information on possible historic site locations. A total of seven such maps were

examined (Andreas 1875, Hixson 1930, Huebinger 1904, Kenyon 1914, McVicker 1872, Stacy

1947, and Warner and Foote 1885). These atlases and plat maps depict the development of much

of the project area as a railroad corridor beginning in 1872 and continuing to the present day. One

General Land Office (GLO) survey map accessed through the Bureau of Land Management’s

online GLO database depicts the project area as primarily consisting of wetlands in 1848. Several

attempts were made to locate Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, which included the proposed project

area, but none were able to be identified. Copies of the examined atlases and plat maps are

included in Appendix B, Figures 1 through 8.

A series of United States Geological Survey 7.5’ Topographic quadrangles dating from 1905 to

2018 were also examined for possible historic site locations. Like the historical atlases and plat

maps, the topographic maps depict the project area as primarily containing wetlands,

undeveloped land, and a series of railroad lines. The Des Moines SE (1956, photorevised 1967,

1971, and 1976) quadrangle depicts seven structures along the southern boundary of the project

area. Aerial photographs show these structures were no longer extant by 1990.
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A series of historic aerial photographs dating from the 1930s to the present were also examined.

From 1930 to 1960, the project area primarily consists of undeveloped land that is bisected by

railroad lines, Highway 69, and some smaller streets. In 1950, the remnants of some sort of

development can be seen in the western portion of the project area, and the disturbances caused

by this development are seen until aerial photographs from the 1980s. In aerial photographs from

1970, tree clearing is evident within the eastern portion of the project area, and the seepage

basins within the central portion of the project area are evident. These excavations continue and

expand into the 1980s. Aerial photographs from the 1980s also depict the eastern half of the

project area beginning to be used as a junk yard. This business was active until 2011, and

remnants of it are still evident within the project area. From the 1980s, a tree line was developed

along the northern portion of the project area, and aerial photographs show several episodes of

tree removal and regrowth are evident.

FIELDWORK METHODS

Given the findings and recommendations of the geoarchaeological survey, a Phase IA pedestrian

survey was conducted of the project area. Parallel pedestrian transects were conducted

throughout the project area. Interval widths of 5 meters or smaller were used to investigate areas

with low ground surface visibility and within wooded areas. A larger interval of 15 meters was

used in the portions of the project area with high ground surface visibility and in areas where

pedestrian surveys have been previously conducted. Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA, served as

Principal Investigator, and fieldwork was conducted with the assistance of Samantha Hunt,

Archaeological Crew Chief. The pedestrian survey was conducted on October 23 and 24, 2019.

Photographs were taken of notable ground surface disturbances, structural remains, and

significant debris piles. Field notes were also taken, which noted areas of ground disturbances,

active infrastructure, and general field conditions. Locations of active utilities were marked prior

to the pedestrian survey. Overview photographs of the proposed project area can be seen in

Appendix C, Figures 1 through 8.

RESULTS

The pedestrian survey found evidence of extensive ground disturbances throughout the project

area. While some of these ground disturbances—such as the initial construction and utilization of

the railroad line running through the property—occurred during the historical period, more modern

disturbances are prevalent. Such disturbances include the continued utilization of the project area

by modern railroads, prior construction and demolition of structures, utility and rainwater control

infrastructure construction and expansion, and a large junkyard, which occupied the eastern half

of the project area. The junkyard was not cleaned up entirely when it went out of business, and

evidence of buried scrap metal and other trash was evident. Push piles of debris and soil were

also noted throughout the project area.
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

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The lack of integrity seen at the ground surface was established to extend into subsurface

conditions by the geoarchaeological report, which found extensive fill deposits overlying the

natural soils within the project area. This report also found that conditions within the project area

both in the prehistoric and historical periods would have not been conducive to human occupation,

as the landscape was primarily wetlands or marsh. The disturbances documented in both the

Phase IA and geoarchaeological examination of the project area suggest that it is unlikely for

intact cultural deposits to be present which can be encountered or identified through standard

survey methodologies. If extant archaeological resources are present, they are deeply buried and

only accessible through extensive mechanical excavation of the fill soils within the project area.

 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

A total of 40 acres were surveyed in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa ahead of the construction of

a proposed railroad transfer station. No historic properties have been identified within the project

area either through a records search, geoarchaeological survey, or the current Phase IA cultural

resources survey. The geoarchaeological work conducted for the proposed project found that

extensive fill soils are present within the project area. Given this, it is unlikely that the proposed

project will encounter natural soil deposits during the planned construction, and as a result, there

is little chance of encountering intact cultural deposits within the available portions of the project

area. As such, a determination of no historic properties affected is recommended for the proposed

project area. Terracon recommends no further cultural resources work and that the project be

allowed to proceed as planned.

Prepared by: Authorized Project Reviewer:

Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA

Principal Investigator – Archaeology Cultural Resources Group Manager
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 REFERENCES

Andreas, A.T.

1875 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa. A.T. Andreas, Chicago.

Association of Iowa Archaeologists (AIA)

2018 Association of Iowa Archaeologists Guidelines. Association of Iowa

Archaeologists, Iowa City, Iowa.

Bettis, E. Arthur, III

1990 The Deforest Formation of Western Iowa: Lithologic Properties,

Stratigraphy, and Chronology. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des

Moines, Iowa.

Bettis, E. Arthur, III, and Richard G. Baker, William R. Green, Mary K. Whelan, and David W.

Benn

1992 Late Wisconsinan Holocene Alluvial Stratigraphy, Paleoecology, and

Archaeological Geology of East-Central Iowa. Iowa Quaternary Studies

Group for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, and David W. Benn

1984 An Archaeological and Geomorphological Survey in the Central Des

Moines River Valley, Iowa. Plains Anthropologist 29: 211-227.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, and Bernard E. Hoyer

1986 Late Wisconsinan and Holocene Landscape Evolution and Alluvial

Stratigraphy in the Saylorville Lake Area, Central Des Moines River Valley,

Iowa. Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa.

Bureau of Land Management

2019 General Land Office Records. Bureau of Land Management, United States

Department of the Interior. Washington, D.C. https://glorecords.blm.gov/.

Huebinger, M., and Company

1904 Atlas of the State of Iowa. M. Huebinger and Company, Davenport, Iowa.

Kenyon Company

1914 Atlas and Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. The Kenyon Company, Des

Moines, Iowa.

Mandel, Rolfe D.

1982 Geomorphic Investigations of the CBD Loop Arterial Project Area. Phase I

Cultural Resources Investigation of the CBD Loop Arterial Project Area.

Brice, Petrides, and Associates, Waterloo, Iowa.
Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey

Des Moines Industrial ■ Des Moines, Iowa

November 8, 2019 ■ Terracon Project No. 08197038

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McVicker, Geo A.

1872 Map of Polk County, Iowa. Geo A. McVicker, Chicago.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

2000 Soil Survey of Polk County, Iowa. Natural Resources Conservation

Service, Washington, D.C.

2019 Web Soil Survey. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington,

D.C. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/

Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA)

2019 The Geoarchaeology of Iowa’s Stream Valleys. Office of the State

Archaeologist, Iowa City, Iowa.

http://archaeology.uiowa.edu/geoarchaeology-iowas-stream-valleys

Prior, Jean C.

1991 Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, Iowa.

Schermer, Shirley J., William Green, and James M. Collins

1995 A Brief Cultural History of Iowa. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Scott, Brandon K.

2019 Geoarchaeological Investigations for the Proposed Des Moines Transload

Facility along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Sections 2 and 3, T78N,

R24W, Lee Township, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Impact7G

for Terracon, Clive, Iowa.

Stacy Map Publishers

1947 Stacy’s Farm Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. Stacy Map Publishers,

Rockford, Illinois.

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

1956 Des Moines SE, Iowa. 7.5 Minute Topographic. Photorevised 1967, 1971,

and 1976. United States Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

Warner, Geo. E., and C.M. Foote

1885 Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. Warner & Foote, Minneapolis,
APPENDIX A

Project Maps
NORTH

APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 1/4 MILE

Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name:

Project No. Date: EXHIBIT

08197038-T1.dwg

E2

11/4/2019 TOPOGRAPHIC SITE MAP

JAH JAL

08197038-T1

1

DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER

200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA

CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists

600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515) 244-3184 FAX. (515) 244-5249

TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGE FROM IOWA GEOGRAPHIC MAP SERVER MAINTAINED BY

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY AND MIT - http://cairo.gis.iastate.edu/map.html

LEGEND

- BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA

PROJECT SITE
SE 12TH STREET SE 13TH STREET

SE 14TH STREET

SE 15TH STREET

SE 16TH STREET

SE ASTOR DR

SE 18TH STREET SE 11TH ST

W STREET

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARKWAY

SCOTT AVENUE E VINE STREET 

NORTH APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 500' Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name: Project No. Date: EXHIBIT 08197038-T1.dwg E3 11/4/2019 SITE DIAGRAM JAH JAL 08197038-T1 2 DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER 200 SE 15TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists 600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515) 244-3184 FAX. (515) 244-5249 LEGEND AERIAL PHOTO FROM GOOGLE EARTH - BOUNDARY OF ASSESSED AREA
NORTH APPROXIMATE DRAWING SCALE 0 500' Project Mngr: Drawn By: File Name: Layout Name: Project No. Date: EXHIBIT 08197038-T1.dwg E5 11/4/2019 OVERALL PRELIMINARY SITE LAYOUT JAH JAL 08197038-T1

3 DES MOINES INDUSTRIAL - TRANSLOAD CENTER 200 SE 15TH STREET

DES MOINES, IOWA CoQsultiQg EQgiQeers aQd ScieQtists 600 SW 7TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50309 PH. (515) 244-3184 FAX. (515) 244-5249 
APPENDIX B

Historical Atlases 

and Plat Maps
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

1. Detail of the project area as shown on GLO 1848.

2. Detail of the project area as shown on Warner and Foote 1885.
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

3. Detail of the project area as shown on McVicker 1872.

4. Detail of the project area as shown on Andreas 1875.
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

5. Detail of the project area as shown on Huebinger 1904.

6. Detail of the project area as shown on Kenyon 1914.
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

7. Detail of the project area as shown on Hixson 1930.

8. Detail of the project area as shown on Stacy 1947.
APPENDIX C

Project Photographs
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

1. Overview of the project area showing modern and historic

debris, facing southeast.

2. Overview of the project area including railroad, facing

north.

3. Overview of a wetland/seepage basin, view to the west. 4. Overview of a wetland/seepage basin, view to the west.

4. Overview of a wetland/seepage basin, view to the south. 5. Overview of an existing borrow area, view to the south.
Site Name: Des Moines Industrial

Project No. 08197038

6. Push pile of debris and rubble, view to the west. 7. Drainage channel that has been filled with debris, view to

the west.

8. Cement and brick debris pile, view to the north.
APPENDIX D

National Archaeological Database 

(NADB) Form
NADB – REPORTS CITATION FORM

Complete items 3 and 5-14. The State Historic Preservation Office will record information for items

1 through 4.

1. DOCUMENT NO. ______________________________________________

2. SOURCE _________________________ AND SHPO – ID _________________

3. FILED AT

4. UTM COORDINATES

Zone Easting Northing

Zone Easting Northing

Zone Easting Northing

Zone Easting Northing

Zone Easting Northing

Zone Easting Northing

Continuation, see 14.

5. AUTHORS Reece, Suzanne

6. YEAR _2019____ _________ ________ _________

Year published.

7. TITLE Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of a Proposed Railroad Transload Facility, Sections 2

and 3, T78N, R24W, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

7. PUBLICATION TYPE (circle one)

1. Monograph or Book

2. Chapter in a Book or Report Series

3. Journal Article

4. Report Series

5. Dissertation or Thesis

6. Paper presented at a Meeting

7. Unpublished or Limited Distribution Report
8. Other

9. INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLISHER/PUBLICATOIN

Follow the American Antiquity style guide for the type of publication circled.

10. STATE/COUNTY (Referenced by report. Enter as many states, counties, or towns, as

necessary. Enter all, if appropriate. Only enter Town if the resources considered are within the

town boundaries.)

STATE 1 Iowa COUNTY Polk TOWN Des Moines

STATE 2 COUNTY TOWN

STATE 3 COUNTY TOWN

Continuation, see 14.

11. WORKTYPE (circle all code numbers that are appropriate)

0 General Management Plan/Environmental Document

1 Cultural Resources Research Plan

2 Statement for Management

3 Outline of Planning Requirements

4 Cultural Resources Preservation Guide

5 Development Concept Plan

6 New Area Study/Reconnaissance Study

7 Boundary Study

8 Interpretive Prospectus

9 Special Planning/Management Study

10 Historical Study

11 Primary Document – Original

12 Primary Document – Translation

13 Advertisement

14 Popular Culture/History Document

15 Journal/Periodical

20 Historical Resource Study

21 Historical Base Map
22 Historical Handbook Text

23 Park Administrative History

24 Special History Study

30 Archeological General Considerations

31 Archeological Overview and Assessment

32 Archeological Identification Study (Phase I)

33 Archeological Evaluation Study (Phase II)

34 Archeological Data Recovery (Phase III)

35 Archeological Collections and Non-Field Studies

36 Socio-Cultural Anthropology Study

37 Social Impact Statement

38 Ethnohistory Study

39 Special Archeology/Anthropology Study

40 Field Reconnaissance, Sampling

41 Field Reconnaissance, Intensive

42 Paleo-environmental Research

43 Archeometrics

44 Archeoastronomical Study

46 Remote Sensing

47 Archeozoological Study

48 Archeobotanical Study

49 Bioarcheological Study

50 Historic Buildings Report-Beginning February 1956

51 Historic Buildings Report After February 1957-Part I

52 Historic Buildings Report-Part II

54 Historic Buildings Report-After March 1960-Part III

56 HSR-Administrative Data-After December 1971

57 HSR-Historical Data

58 HSR-Archeological Data

59 HSR-Architectural Data

61 Historic Structures Preservation Guide-After December 1971

62 Historic Structures Report-After October 1980

63 Cultural Landscape Report (Historic Grounds Report)

64 Ruins Stabilization and Maintenance Report

70 Scope of Collection Statement

71 Historic Furnishings Report-After October 1980

72 Collection Condition Survey

73 Collection Storage Plan

82 Collection Management Plan (Collection Preservation Guide)

83 Special Curatorial Study

84 Archeological Field Work, Indeterminant

85 Archeological Survey, Indeterminant

86 Field Reconnaissance, Minimal

87 Underwater Survey

88 Resource/Site Based Work, Indeterminant

89 Minimal/Informal Site Visitation

90 Oral History

91 Subsurface Activity, Indeterminant
92 Testing/Limited Excavation

93 Major Excavation

94 Underwater Resource/Site Based Work

95 Artifact/Collection Based Study/Report

96 Literature Synthesis/Review/Research Design

97 Intensive Determination of Surface Characteristics

98 Environmental Research

99 Geomorphological Study

100 Geological Study

101 Paleontological Study

102 Population Reconstruction

103 Rock Art Study

104 Architectural Photography

105 Architecture Site Plan

106 Architectural Floor Plan

107 HABS Drawing

108 Physical Anthropology Study

109 Boat Survey

110 Other (Furnish a Keyword in Keyword Category 1 to identify the nature of this study.)

12. KEYWORDS and KEYWORD CATEGORIES

0 Types of Resources (or “no resources”)

1 Generic Terms/Research Questions/Specialized Studies

2 Archeological Taxonomic Names

3 Defined Artifact Types/Material Classes

4 Geographic Names or Locations

5 Time

6 Project Name/Project Area

7 Other keywords

Enter as many keywords (with the appropriate keyword category number) as you think will help a

person (1) who is trying to understand what the report contains or (2) who is searching the database

for specific information. Whenever appropriate, record the number of acres studied in a document.

Des Moines [ 4 ] Iowa [ 4 ] [ ]

Des Moines River [ 4 ] [ ] [ ]

Railroad [ 0 ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ] [ ]

Continuation, see 14.

13. FEDERAL AGENCY FRA
14. CONTINUATION/COMMENTS (include item no.)

FORM COMPLETED BY

Name Suzanne Reece, MSc, RPA Date 11/8/2019

Address 955 Wells Street, Suite 100

City St. Paul State Minnesota

Zip 55106

Telephone Number 651-225-5298
APPENDIX E

Resumes
Suzanne Reece

SUZANNE REECE, MSC, RPA

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR - ARCHAEOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ms. Reece is an Archaeologist and Principal Investigator with Terracon’s Minneapolis-St. Paul

office. Ms. Reece has worked as a Secretary of the Interior-qualified Archaeological Principal

Investigator throughout the Midwest for the past five years, She has planned, managed, and

conducted numerous cultural resources surveys for both public and private clients ranging from

individual landowners to federal agencies. Ms. Reece has expertise in the areas of historical

research, pedestrian and subsurface archaeological investigations, human and animal skeletal

analysis, artifact identification and curation, as well as mitigation of disturbances to

archaeological sites. She also has extensive experience in evaluation of historic structures and

archaeological sites for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Reece has done extensive work with both private and public sector clients assessing

proposed site locations for cultural resources. Her work has helped clients avoid costly delays

by identifying archaeological sites and historic properties prior to land purchases and the start

of construction. She has conducted literature searches (desktop reviews), intensive Phase I and

Phase II surveys, and archaeological monitoring of construction activities in support of site

selection and property development projects. Some of the property development and site

selection projects Ms. Reece has worked on include: residential developments, municipal and

state land purchases, industrial park developments, and wetland mitigation banks.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Reece has planned and conducted numerous cultural resources surveys related to the

repair, replacement, and creation of modern infrastructure. She has conducted literature

searches (desktop reviews) for utility installations within road rights-of-way, as well as intensive

Phase II surveys and Phase III treatment plans for waterline, sewer line, telecommunication, and

flood mitigation projects. While conducting these surveys, Ms. Reece has also gained

experience in identifying and documenting historic structures and historic districts.

MUNICIPAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PROPERTY

Ms. Reece has conducted many cultural resources studies on public lands owned by a

government entity. In conducting these projects, she has played a role in obtaining the necessary

state and federal archaeological permits, overseen compliance with permit stipulations, and

conducted and documented the resulting fieldwork. She has conducted archival research, Phase

I reconnaissance surveys and intensive Phase II surveys, mortuary feature relocation surveys,

Phase III treatment plans and investigations, and archaeological monitoring for projects on

public land.

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

Ms. Reece has lead cultural resources planning efforts and fieldwork for numerous

transportation improvement projects which require compliance with state or federal historic

preservation laws. These projects have included improvements to railways, road construction

and expansion, highway erosion and floodwater mitigation studies, as well as cultural resources

oversight of soil borrow project areas. She has conducted research and prepared reports on the

historic significance of structures such as bridges and culverts and how to mitigate their loss of

historic integrity during repairs or replacements.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Ms. Reece has conducted extensive archaeological work for the South Dakota Department of

Game, Fish, and Parks, including work at Lake Herman State Park, Oakwood Lakes State Park,

and Good Earth State Park. Particularly of note, she has served as the osteologist on-site or oncall for numerous construction projects conducted within the Blood Run National Historic

Landmark Site located within Good Earth State Park. Ms. Reece was also the Principal

Investigator for all stages of the investigation of a prehistoric, Split Rock Creek chert quarry site

(39MH98) in South Dakota. Investigation and documentation of this site spanned a total of three

years, and included hundreds of hours of fieldwork, report preparation, and curation of recovered

artifacts.

EDUCATION

Master of Science,

Osteoarchaeology, University of

Edinburgh, 2013.

Bachelor of Arts, Honors

Anthropology, University of

Minnesota, 2011.

AFFILIATIONS

American Association of Physical

Anthropologists (AAPA)

International Council for

Archaeozoology (ICAZ)

Register of Professional

Archaeologists (RPA)

WORK HISTORY

Terracon Consultants, Inc.,

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.

Principal Investigator –

Archaeologist, 2018-Present.

Kogel Archaeological Consulting

Services, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Principal Investigator, 2013-2018.

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh,

Scotland. Osteoarchaeologist, 2013.

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,

Minnesota. Laboratory Intern, 2010;

Excavator, 2008.

PRESENTATIONS

“Introduction to Cultural Resources

Management for Professionals”

American Institute of Architects

approved Continuing Education

Seminar, 2018.

“Introduction to Cultural Resources

Management” presented at Riverland

Community College, 2016.

“Actualistic Studies in Bone

Breakage: A Comparative Analysis of

Fracture Angle Measurement

Techniques” presented at the

University of Oxford Graduate

Archaeology Conference, 2013.

“Examining Bone Breakage in Faunal

Remains” presented at the University

of Minnesota Undergraduate

Anthropology Conference, 2011,
Samantha Hunt

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CREW CHIEF, 

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ms. Hunt is a Crew Chief with the Cultural Resources Department at Terracon’s 

Des Moines, IA office, formally of the Columbia, SC office. She has been 

working in the Cultural Resource field since 2014 and graduated with her 

Bachelor of Art degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015. Her job 

responsibilities include conducting archaeological field surveys, lab 

management, artifact analysis, GIS, report preparation, and equipment 

management. Ms. Hunt has worked in the eastern and mid-western United 

Sates as well as Colorado and Arizona conducting archaeological monitoring, 

Phase I Surveys, Phase II Evaluative Testing, and Phase III Data Recovery 

Projects. Additionally, Ms. Hunt is currently pursuing a master’s degree in 

Cultural Resource Management at Adam’s State University in Alamosa, 

Colorado. 

PROJECT EXPERIENCE 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA RECOVERY PROJECTS

Smith Mountain Lake Data – Bedford and Pittsylvania Counties, Virginia

Artifact analyst, field technician, and GIS data collaborator for data recovery and 

Phase II excavations at seven prehistoric sites ranging from Paleoindian to 

Woodland periods in Bedford and Pittsylvania counties, Virginia. 

59LBR Logistics Data Recovery - Phoenix, Arizona

Field technician for an archaeological data recovery at site 59LBR, a Hohokam 

occupation site, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Yellow House Creek - Berkeley County, South Carolina

Laboratory technician for an archaeological data recovery of sites 

38BK1800/1801/1803/1804 located in Berkeley County, SC. These 

multicomponent sites range from Late Archaic to 18th- 19th century.

*University of Northern Iowa Field School - Cedar Falls, Iowa

Participant in the field school of a prehistoric Woodland site at Hartman Reserve 

Nature Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This site was used to fulfill requirements for

a Bachelor of Arts degree.

*Plum Grove Field School - Iowa City, Iowa

Participant in the Plum Grove Field School of the historic 19th century house site 

13JH31, the home of first territorial governor of Iowa Robert Lucas.

CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY AND TESTING PROJECTS

Trolley Road Apartments Phase I – Dorchester, South Carolina

Crew Chief for a phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 14

acres for proposed apartment site in Dorchester, South Carolina.

EDUCATION

Master of Art, Cultural Resource

Management, Adam’s State University, 

currently pursuing

Archaeology and GIS Certificate,

Sanisera Institute of Archaeology, 2015

Bachelor of Art, Anthropology-Archaeology, 

University of Northern Iowa, 2015

AFFILIATIONS

Archaeological Society of South Carolina

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

OSHA 10-hr. Construction Awareness 

Training, 2017

CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid, 2017

WORK HISTORY

Terracon Consultants, Inc., Crew Chief, 

2016-Present

Rivanna Archaeological Services, LLC, 

Archaeological Field Technician, 2015-2016

TRC Environmental, Archaeological Field 

Technician, 2014-2015

Environment and Archaeology LLC, 

Archaeological Field Technician, 2015

HRA Gray & Pape, Junior Archaeological 

Field Technician, 2015

GAI Consultants, Archaeological Field 

Technician, 2014

University of Iowa Natural History 

Department, Volunteer, 2012

Living History Farms in Des Moines, IA,

Volunteer, 2007

* Work performed prior to joining Terracon. 
Samantha Hunt (continued)

 

Sunflower County Solar Reconnaissance – Sunflower County, Mississippi

Crew Chief for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation of approximately 1,970 acres at the proposed 

Sunflower County Solar site in Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Garden of the Gods Monitoring – Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Cultural resource monitor for the Garden of the Gods flood mitigation project in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Finklea Mine Reconnaissance – Effingham, South Carolina

Crew Chief and artifact analyst for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation of approximately 65 acres for 

a proposed mine expansion in Florence County, South Carolina.

Greensville Solar Phase I & II - Emporia, Virginia

Crew Chief and artifact analyst for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 1,330 Acres and Phase II 

of multicomponent sites 44GV177/179 at the proposed Greensville County Solar Project in Greensville County, Virginia.

Middle Tennessee Megasite Phase I - Adams, Tennessee

Field Technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 1,700 Acres at the proposed Middle 

Tennessee Megasite in Montgomery and Robertson Counties, Tennessee.

Willow Oak Reconnaissance - Kershaw, South Carolina

Field Technician for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation of approximately 170 acres for a proposed 

quarry expansion in Kershaw County, South Carolina.

Salisbury Site Phase II - Summerville, South Carolina

Field Technician and artifact analyst for a Phase II evaluative testing at site 38BK1911 in Berkeley County, South 

Carolina.

Williamsburg Replacement Hospital Reconnaissance - Williamsburg County, South Carolina

Crew Chief for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation of approximately 40 acres at the proposed 

Williamsburg Replacement Hospital in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. 

59LBR Logistics Archaeological Testing Phase II - Phoenix, Arizona

Field Technician for a Phase II cultural resource investigation at site 59LBR, a Hohokam occupation site, in Phoenix, 

Arizona.

LG&E Penile-Preston Pipeline Phase I - Louisville, Kentucky

Field technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately seven miles for a proposed pipeline 

replacement

in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Midland-Wiregrass Solar Phase I - Midland City, Alabama

Field technician and artifact analyst for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 648 acres for a 

proposed solar farm located

in Dale County, Alabama.

Brunswick Forest Subdivision Phase I - Leland, South Carolina

Field Technician and artifact analyst for Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 813 acres of Brunswick 

Forest in Leland, North Carolina.

LG&E Preston-Piccadilly Pipeline Phase I - Louisville, Kentucky

Field Technician for Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately six miles for a proposed pipeline 

replacement in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Samantha Hunt (continued)

 

Cambridge Oaks Apartments Phase I - Cleveland County, North Carolina

Crew Chief for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 12 acres at the proposed Cambridge Oaks 

Apartments in Cleveland County, North Carolina. 

Locust Grove Apartments Phase I - Stanly County, North Carolina

Crew Chief for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 10 acres at the proposed Locust Grove 

Apartments in Stanly County, North Carolina.

Seabrook Solar Reconnaissance - Lobecco, South Carolina

Field Technician for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation of approximately 410 acres for a proposed 

solar farm in Beaufort County, South Carolina.

Chesapeake Solar Phase I - Chesapeake, Virginia

Field Technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 168 acres for a proposed solar farm in 

Chesapeake, Virginia.

Centerville Solar Phase I - Suffolk, Virginia

Field Technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 248 acres for a proposed solar farm in 

Suffolk, Virginia.

Dillon Inland Port Phase I - Dillon, South Carolina

Field Technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 173 acres for a proposed inland port 

located in Dillon County, South Carolina.

Mogul Wastewater Phase I - Laurens, South Carolina

Field technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately three miles for a proposed wastewater 

line located in Laurens County, South Carolina.

Limestone County Waterline Phase I - Athens, Alabama

Field Technician for the Phase I cultural resource investigation of approximately 57,000 feet of proposed waterline 

improvements in Limestone County, Alabama.

*Nexus Pipeline Phase I - Wadsworth, Ohio and surrounding areas

Field Technician for a Phase I and II cultural resource investigations of a proposed pipeline corridor in Ohio.

*Allegheny National Forest Reconnaissance - Allegheny National Forest, Bradford, Pennsylvania

Field Technician for a reconnaissance-level cultural resource investigation in advance of seismic survey throughout the

Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania.

*James Monroe’s Highland Phase II - Charlottesville, VA

Field Technician for Phase II cultural resource investigation of President James Monroe’s Highland residence near 

Charlottesville, Virginia. 

*Rover Pipeline Phase I - St. Clairsville, Ohio and surrounding areas

Field Technician for a Phase I cultural resource investigation of a proposed pipeline corridor extending from Ohio

through West Virginia.
Samantha Hunt (continued)

 

TECHNICAL REPORTS

2019 Samantha Hunt, Mills Dorn, and William Green. Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Approximately 14 Acres 

at the Trolley Road Apartments in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Report Prepared for Atlantic Housing 

Foundation. 

2019 Samantha Hunt, Mills Dorn, Kelly Higgins, Shelby Linck, and William Green. Preliminary Cultural Resources

Investigations of Approximately 1,970 Acres at the Sunflower County Solar Project Sunflower County, 

Mississippi. Report Prepared for Recurrent Energy. 

2019 Samantha Hunt and William Green. Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey of Approximately 65 Acres at 

the Proposed Finklea Mine in Florence, South Carolina. Report Prepared for Venture Engineering. 

2017 William Green, Shelby Linck, and Samantha Hunt. Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey of 

Approximately 40 Acres at the Proposed Lake City Hospital-Brown Site Williamsburg County, South Carolina. 

Report prepared for GMK Associates.

2017 William Green, Shelby Linck, and Samantha Hunt. Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Approximately 10 

Acres at the Proposed Locust Grove Apartments Stanly County, North Carolina. Report prepared for Greenway 

Residential Development, LLC.

2017 William Green, Shelby Linck, and Samantha Hunt. Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Approximately 12 

Acres at the Proposed Cambridge Oaks Apartments Phase II Cleveland County, North Carolina. Report 

prepared for Greenway Residential Development, LLC.
Ann M. Scott, PhD, RPA

NATURAL|CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGER AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ann Scott serves as Group Manger and Principal Investigator in the Natural and Cultural 

Resources Group of Environmental Services. Dr. Scott has over 25 years of archaeological and 

environmental compliance experience and has worked for the National Park Service, the State 

of Wisconsin, the State of Illinois, and various public and private entities in the Midwest and 

Texas. This work has involved Phase I archeological surveys, Phase II testing, and Phase III 

data recovery at both prehistoric and historic-period sites. The work has been performed in 

compliance with State level regulations, municipal regulations, Section 106 of the National 

Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 

Department of Transportation (DOT) NEPA assignment standards. Additionally, she has held

permits as a Principal Investigator for the Bureau of Land Management for the Texas Gulf Coast 

and Great Plains and the US Forest Service for National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Dr. 

Scott has served as Project Manager on several multi-disciplinary projects (Categorical 

Exclusions and Environmental Assessments) involving work with wetlands, waters, endangered 

species and habitats, karst surveys, and historic resources surveys. . Dr. Scott meets or exceeds 

all qualifications for the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Prehistoric and 

Historic Archaeology under 36 CFR 61. 

SELECT PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Utility Infrastructure (Water/Wastewater)

South Belton Sewer Service – City of Belton, Bell County, Texas

As Principal Investigator and Project Manager for the 18,900-linear-foot sewer line project, Dr. 

Scott supervised the survey, prepared the report, and coordinated with the Texas Historical 

Commission (THC) for compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas. The THC agreed with our 

findings of no historic properties affected and the project was approved for construction. 

Bunton Creek Interceptor – City of Kyle, Hays County, Texas

The proposed 7,000-linear-foot sewer line project was receiving funding with federal monies and 

required Section 106 compliance. One historic archeological site was recorded and, after 

archival and deed research, was assessed as ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of 

Historic Places (NRHP). The report was coordinated with the Texas State Historic Preservation 

Office (SHPO) (THC). The SHPO/THC agreed with our findings of no historic properties affected 

and the project was approved for construction. Dr. Scott served as Project Manager and Principal 

Investigator. 

Cottonwood Creek Wastewater Line – City of Cedar Park, Texas*

Dr. Scott served as Principal Investigator and supervised the pedestrian survey for the 1,200-

linear-foot wastewater alignment under an Antiquities Code of Texas permit. The project 

received THC concurrence for the report that included the assessment of cultural resources in 

an area of high probability for archeological sites as well as avoidance of a site eligible for 

designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL).

Transportation

Loop 375 Border Highway, West Extension – El Paso County, Texas*

As Project Archeologist of the Loop 375 Border Highway West Extension, Dr. Scott performed 

mechanical scraping of Smelter Cemetery, archeological survey for work on federal land (US 

International Boundary and Water Commission [USIBWC]), and responded to discoveries. Work 

was within/adjacent to BNSF and Union Pacific railroad rights-of-way. Coordination with TX 

SHPO, USIBWC, TxDOT and the tollway developer was ongoing throughout the project. The 

SHPO concurred with our findings of no historic properties affected by the project. 

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Latin American 

Studies, The University of Texas at 

Austin, 2009

Master of Arts, Anthropology, 

Northern Illinois University, 1993

Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, 

Central Michigan University, 1988

(honors)

REGISTRATIONS

Register of Professional 

Archeologists

QUALIFICATIONS

Exceeds all qualifications for the 

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards 

and Guidelines for Prehistoric and 

Historic Archaeology under 36 CFR 

61

AFFILIATIONS

Society for American Archeology

Council of Texas Archeologists

Texas Archeological Society

Colorado Council of Professional 

Archaeologists

American Cultural Resources 

Association (Board member: 2010-

2015)

WORK HISTORY

Terracon, Natural & Cultural 

Resources Group Manager,

2016-present

J & L Consulting, Senior Principal 

Investigator; Environmental 

Specialist, 2015-2016

aci consulting, Director of Cultural 

Resources, Denver and Austin 

2010-2015

HRA Gray and Pape, Archeologist, 

2009

The University of Texas at Austin, 

Graduate Student/Research 

Assistant, 1999-2009

Prewitt and Associates, Staff 

Archeologist, 1996-2001

PRESENTATIONS/PUBLISHED 

ARTICLES

Co-editor of book entitled The 

National Historic Preservation Act, 

Past, Present, and Future with coeditor Kimball Banks, Routledge 

Press, 2016 

*Experience prior to Terracon
NEPA

On-Call Professional Environmental (NEPA) Services – City of San Antonio, Texas*

Dr. Scott served as sub-contractor Project Manager for the City of San Antonio (COSA) contract primed by AECOM in San Antonio. Dr. 

Scott managed proposals, budgets, contracts, projects, and personnel for each of the work authorizations. Examples of projects included 

NEPA categorical exclusions, desktop reviews, and Section 106 compliance for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for trail, roadway, 

and federal housing projects. 

Utility Infrastructure (NEPA compliance)

Texas Water Development Board Projects, Hillside Terrace Wastewater Line – City of Buda, Texas and Brazosport Water 

Authority Treatment Plant Improvements, – Lake Jackson, Texas*

Serving as Project Manager, Dr. Scott oversaw the completion of the Environmental Information Document (EID), which is a combination 

of compliance for state and federal laws (NEPA). All aspects of the project were managed by Dr. Scott including multi-disciplinary field 

investigations, document quality control, agency coordination, assistance in public meetings, and delivery of final documentation. Both 

projects received Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and were approved. 

Transportation (Trail)

Helotes Creek Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail – City of Helotes, Texas*

As part of a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) grant received by the City of Helotes, environmental specialists were 

needed to complete the NEPA environmental compliance requirements for the Categorical Exclusion per TxDOT federal standards. In 

addition to field work, Dr. Scott assisted in the environmental review process and completion of the Categorical Exclusion forms as well 

as review of technical reports and compilation of the Summary of Findings report. 

Huesta Creek Pedestrian Trail – City of San Antonio, Texas*

Dr. Scott served as Principal Investigator for this project for the City of San Antonio. Dr. Scott supervised pedestrian survey of the 

approximately 4,400 feet of the 9,144-foot paved pedestrian trail alignment under a Texas Antiquities Code permit. The project results 

received COSA Office of Historic Preservation as well as Texas Historical Commission concurrence, which allowed the project to proceed.

Sabine Street Promenade – City of Austin, Texas*

Serving as Project Manager, Dr. Scott oversaw the completion of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion checklist. Because the trail 

improvement project crossed the 6th Street National Register Historic District, a Historic Resources Survey and Report was required by 

TxDOT. In addition to the cultural resources, a Hazardous Material Initial Site Assessment (ISA) and Biological Assessment were 

performed along the alignment. The project was approved.

Energy (Solar)

Chimney Hill Solar Project – Pontotoc County, OK

As Principal Investigator and Project Manager for the solar project, Dr. Scott supervised the survey, prepared the report, and coordinated 

with the OK SHPO and Oklahoma Archeological Survey. 

Transportation (Tollway)

Testing and Data Recovery at 41TR203, The Mercado Site, North Tarrant Express, Segment 3A – Fort Worth, TX*

As Principal Investigator for Segment 3A of the North Tarrant Express Project, Dr. Scott supervised testing-level and data recovery 

fieldwork at site 41TR203 along the North Trinity River. Dr. Scott coordinated data recovery efforts with TxDOT and the THC staff 

managing research design, field efforts, and agency staff visits. 

Residential Housing Development

Reassessment of Site Boundary and Current Site Conditions for Site 41EP155/157 – Horizon City, Texas*

Under the supervision of Dr. Scott as Principal Investigator, archeologists revisited this SAL and NRHP-eligible prehistoric site near 

Horizon City in El Paso County. The site had been originally determined to be eligible for listing as a SAL and inclusion on the NRHP in 

2003, and work confirmed the eligibility of the site and minimally revised the site boundaries.
APPENDIX F

Geoarchaeological Survey Report
Information contained in this report relating to the nature 

and location of archaeological sites is considered 

private and confidential and not for public disclosure in 

accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 307103); 36 CFR Part 

800.6 (a)(5) of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation’s rules implementing Sections 106 and 110 

of the Act; Section 9(a) of the Archaeological Resource 

Protection Act (54 U.S.C. § 100707), and Chapter 22.7, 

subsection 20 of the Iowa Code.

Prepared By:

Branden K. Scott

(Principal Investigator)

Prepared For:

Terracon Consultants, Inc.

600 Southwest 7th Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

CRM Report 88 – September 26, 2019

Geoarchaeological Investigations for the Proposed Des 

Moines Transload Facility along Martin Luther King 

Jr. Parkway, Sections 2 and 3, T78N, R24W, Lee 

Township, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

9550 Hickman Road, 

Suite 105

Clive, Iowa 50325
i

Table of Contents

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ii

List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................ii

Abstract........................................................................................................................................................ vi

Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 7

Project Area Location ................................................................................................................................... 8

Geoarchaeological Research Design............................................................................................................. 8

Environmental and Geomorphological Context ........................................................................................... 9

Physiographic Region............................................................................................................................... 9

Brief History of the Des Moines River Valley........................................................................................... 9

Iowa’s Holocene Alluvial Landscape ..................................................................................................... 10

Past Geoarchaeological Work in the Des Moines River Valley ............................................................. 10

Soil Survey Data ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Buried Site Potential............................................................................................................................... 14

Historic Maps and Aerial Photographs.................................................................................................. 14

Geoarchaeological Field Methods and Results........................................................................................... 15

Geomorphological Methods.................................................................................................................... 15

Geomorphological Results...................................................................................................................... 16

Discussion................................................................................................................................................... 24

Constraints to Investigation and Deviations from Best-Practice Guidelines.............................................. 24

Recommendations....................................................................................................................................... 25

References Cited ......................................................................................................................................... 26

Figures ........................................................................................................................................................ 29

Appendix A: Core Logs and Profile Data................................................................................................... 95

Appendix B: National Archaeological Database Form............................................................................. 108
ii

List of Tables

Table 1. Soil Survey Data .......................................................................................................................... 13

List of Figures

Figure 1. Physiographic location of the project area.................................................................................. 30

Figure 2. Topographic location of the project area .................................................................................... 31

Figure 3. Vicinity map of the project area ................................................................................................. 32

Figure 4. Wetlands and streams mapped by Whittaker et al. (2005) within the project area .................... 33

Figure 5. Proposed historic meander belts from Whittaker et al. (2005) within the project area .............. 34

Figure 6. Sediment packages in the Des Moines River floodplain based on Pope et al. (2014)................ 35

Figure 7. Soil map of the project area........................................................................................................ 36

Figure 8. 1848 General Land Office map of the project area .................................................................... 37

Figure 9. 1875 map of the project area ...................................................................................................... 38

Figure 10. 1899 map of the project area .................................................................................................... 39

Figure 11. 1902 map of the project area .................................................................................................... 40

Figure 12. 1914 map of the project area .................................................................................................... 41

Figure 13. 1930 map of the project area .................................................................................................... 42

Figure 14. 1905 topographic map of the project area ................................................................................ 43

Figure 15. 1907 topographic map of the project area ................................................................................ 44

Figure 16. 1956 topographic map of the project area ................................................................................ 45

Figure 17. Outlined depressional areas/stream courses based on historic maps........................................ 46

Figure 18. 1938 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 47

Figure 19. 1955 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 48

Figure 20. 1961 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 49

Figure 21. 1974 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 50

Figure 22. 1983 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 51

Figure 23. 2013 aerial photograph of the project area ............................................................................... 52

Figure 24. LiDAR image of the project area ............................................................................................. 53

Figure 25. Proposed versus actual core locations...................................................................................... 54

Figure 26. Scale map of the project area.................................................................................................... 55

Figure 27. Retention basin in the eastern part of the project area. View southeast .................................. 56

Figure 28. Coverage of the project area. View west................................................................................. 56

Figure 29. Coverage of the project area. View north................................................................................ 57

Figure 30. Coverage of the project area. View east .................................................................................. 57
iii

Figure 31. Retention basin in the southern portion of the project area. View west .................................. 58

Figure 32. Disturbed utility corridor in the southern portion of the project area. View west................... 58

Figure 33. Retention basin in the southern portion of the project area. View west .................................. 59

Figure 34. Example of surface fen in the project area ............................................................................... 59

Figure 35. Coverage of the project area. View west................................................................................. 60

Figure 36. Western portion of the project area showing past borrow. View west .................................... 60

Figure 37. Core 1, part A ........................................................................................................................... 61

Figure 38. Core 1, part B ........................................................................................................................... 61

Figure 39. Core 1, part C ........................................................................................................................... 62

Figure 40. Core 1, part D ........................................................................................................................... 62

Figure 41. Core 1, part E............................................................................................................................ 63

Figure 42. Core 2, part A ........................................................................................................................... 63

Figure 43. Core 2, part B ........................................................................................................................... 64

Figure 44. Core 2, part C ........................................................................................................................... 64

Figure 45. Core 2, part D ........................................................................................................................... 65

Figure 46. Core 3, part A ........................................................................................................................... 65

Figure 47. Core 3, part B ........................................................................................................................... 66

Figure 48. Core 3, part C ........................................................................................................................... 66

Figure 49. Core 3, part D ........................................................................................................................... 67

Figure 50. Core 3, part E............................................................................................................................ 67

Figure 51. Core 3, part F............................................................................................................................ 68

Figure 52. Core 4, part A ........................................................................................................................... 68

Figure 53. Core 4, part B ........................................................................................................................... 69

Figure 54. Core 4, part C ........................................................................................................................... 69

Figure 55. Core 4, part D ........................................................................................................................... 70

Figure 56. Core 4, part E............................................................................................................................ 70

Figure 57. Core 4, part F............................................................................................................................ 71

Figure 58. Core 5, part A ........................................................................................................................... 71

Figure 59. Core 5, part B ........................................................................................................................... 72

Figure 60. Core 5, part C ........................................................................................................................... 72

Figure 61. Core 5, part D ........................................................................................................................... 73

Figure 62. Core 5, part E............................................................................................................................ 73

Figure 63. Core 6, part A ........................................................................................................................... 74

Figure 64. Core 6, part B ........................................................................................................................... 74

Figure 65. Core 6, part C ........................................................................................................................... 75

Figure 66. Core 6, part D ........................................................................................................................... 75
iv

Figure 67. Core 6, part E............................................................................................................................ 76

Figure 68. Core 7, part A ........................................................................................................................... 76

Figure 69. Core 7, part B ........................................................................................................................... 77

Figure 70. Core 7, part C ........................................................................................................................... 77

Figure 71. Core 7, part D ........................................................................................................................... 78

Figure 72. Core 7, part E............................................................................................................................ 78

Figure 73. Core 7, part F............................................................................................................................ 79

Figure 74. Core 7, part G ........................................................................................................................... 79

Figure 75. Core 7, part H ........................................................................................................................... 80

Figure 76. Core 8, part A ........................................................................................................................... 80

Figure 77. Core 8, part B ........................................................................................................................... 81

Figure 78. Core 8, part C ........................................................................................................................... 81

Figure 79. Core 8, part D ........................................................................................................................... 82

Figure 80. Core 8, part E............................................................................................................................ 82

Figure 81. Core 8, part F............................................................................................................................ 83

Figure 82. Core 8, part G ........................................................................................................................... 83

Figure 83. Core 8, part H ........................................................................................................................... 84

Figure 84. Core 9, part A ........................................................................................................................... 84

Figure 85. Core 9, part B ........................................................................................................................... 85

Figure 86. Core 9, part C ........................................................................................................................... 85

Figure 87. Core 9, part D ........................................................................................................................... 86

Figure 88. Core 9, part E............................................................................................................................ 86

Figure 89. Core 10, part A ......................................................................................................................... 87

Figure 90. Core 10, part B ......................................................................................................................... 87

Figure 91. Core 10, part C ......................................................................................................................... 88

Figure 92. Core 10, part D ......................................................................................................................... 88

Figure 93. Core 10, part E.......................................................................................................................... 89

Figure 94. Core 10, part F.......................................................................................................................... 89

Figure 95. Core 10, part G ......................................................................................................................... 90

Figure 96. Core 11, part A ......................................................................................................................... 90

Figure 97. Core 11, part B ......................................................................................................................... 91

Figure 98. Core 11, part C ......................................................................................................................... 91

Figure 99. Core 11, part D ......................................................................................................................... 92

Figure 100. Core 11, part E........................................................................................................................ 92

Figure 101. Core 12, part A ....................................................................................................................... 93

Figure 102. Core 12, part B ....................................................................................................................... 93
v

Figure 103. Core 12, part C ....................................................................................................................... 94

Figure 104. Core 12, part D ....................................................................................................................... 94
vi

Abstract

This report presents the results of a geoarchaeological investigation conducted for Terracon Consultants, 

Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa by Impact7G, Inc. of Clive, Iowa. The purpose of this investigation was to 

document the subsurface and archaeological potential of a proposed railroad transload facility along Martin 

Luther King Jr. Parkway in Des Moines, Iowa. The project area encompasses approximately 14.5 ha (35.9

ac) in Sections 2 and 3, T78N, R24W, Lee Township, Polk County, Iowa. The project area occurs on 

infilled alluvial landforms below the Bemis glacial moraine in the Southern Iowa Drift Plain physiographic 

region. The project area is positioned within the Des Moines River valley.

A couple of past archaeological surveys have been conducted through the project area, but no previous 

investigation tested the subsurface of the property. Instead, past researchers mentioned either dense fill that 

they could not get under or indicated that the area was disturbed. Historic maps indicate that much of the 

project area existed in low, wet areas possibly associated with historic channel movements of the Des 

Moines River. No known archaeological sites are recorded within the project area. One known historic 

Native American location in the Historic Indian Location Database is recorded in the western portion of the 

project area, but this incredibly large area represents a trading post where the location is not precisely 

known. Historic maps indicate that there might have been some minor historic development in the western 

and southern portions of the project area. Overall, though, the project area appears to be a location of 

historic borrowing and filling along railroad corridors.

The geoarchaeological survey was conducted by Branden K. Scott (principal investigator) on September 

13 and 16, 2019. Mr. Scott was assisted by a drill rig crew from Terracon Consultants, Inc. Sampling 

consisted of using a drill rig with 3” split spoon recovery at 12 selected locations within the project area. 

These locations were selected to gain a representative sample of alluvial landforms below historic fill levels. 

Some locations in the project area could not be sampled because 1) existing, deep water retention ponds, 2) 

deciduous tree vegetation that prevented machine access, 3) utility corridors with dense concentrations of 

buried utilities/infrastructure, 4) surficial wetlands/fens that prevented machine access, and 5) inability to 

gain access permission from lands not owned by the City of Des Moines. Cores were extracted with the 

intent of reaching buried Des Moines River channel deposits so that the entire Holocene alluvial sequence 

could be documented. Cores were described in the field as they were extracted by Branden K. Scott. The 

resulting cores identified two major landform types below historic fills. The northern portion of the project 

area appears to be a historic-aged, abandoned channel of the Des Moines River. This was documented by 

thin Camp Creek Member sediments overlying channel sands. The southern portion of the project area 

encountered deposits associated with slackwater/wetland deposits that likely formed during the Late 

Prehistoric/early historic periods (late Roberts Creek/early Camp Creek). Both landform types are 

interpreted to be inhospitable for extended human settlement during the Late Prehistoric/early Historic 

periods. No sediments of older age (such as Gunder Member-associated alluvial deposits) were 

encountered in the project area. The western portion of the project area occurs in a former borrow area that 

has stripped the Holocene alluvial sequence to Des Moines River channel deposits. Based on the nature of 

historic fills, Impact7G, Inc. believes that it would be very difficult to differentiate potential historic 

building sites from the surrounding brick and concrete fill matrix.

Impact7G, Inc. believes that the portion of the project area where geoarchaeological testing occurred has 

low potential for significant archaeological sites. The area represents a historic Des Moines River channel 

backed by a low floodplain/wetland that would have been an unattractive location for extended human 

settlement. 
7

Introduction

This report presents the results of a geoarchaeological investigation conducted for Terracon Consultants, 

Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa by Impact7G, Inc. (Impact7G) of Clive, Iowa. The purpose of this investigation 

was to determine the subsurface conditions of alluvial landforms within the Des Moines River valley that 

have been capped with historic fill prior to the placement of a proposed transload facility atop the project 

area. This investigation sought to 1) describe historic fills, 2) describe soils below fill layers, 3) determine 

the type of landscape represented below historic fills, 4) determine the approximate age of alluvial 

sediments, and 5) determine if/where there are locations within the project area that should be the focus of 

intensive archaeological investigations to identify buried archaeological sites. The project area 

encompasses approximately 14.5 ha (35.9 ac) in Sections 2 and 3, T78N, R24W, Lee Township, Polk 

County, Iowa. The project area is found surrounding Southeast 14th Street in Des Moines, Iowa north of 

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in the Des Moines River valley. The project area occurs on alluvial 

landforms in the Southern Iowa Drift Plain physiographic region (Prior 1991; Figure 1). Methods employed 

during this investigation are consistent with guidelines for geoarchaeological investigations in Iowa 

(Association of Iowa Archaeologists 2018). Notes, photographs, and all other records associated with this 

project are housed at Impact7G.

Two previous archaeological surveys have been conducted through the project area, but neither 

investigation probed the subsurface in this area. Historic maps indicate that much of the project area existed 

in low, wet areas possibly associated with historic channel movements of the Des Moines River, which 

follows with past researchers’ assessments of the area (Pope et al. 2014; Whittaker et al. 2007). No known 

archaeological sites are recorded within the project area. One known historic Native American location in 

the Historic Indian Location Database (HILD) is recorded in the western portion of the project area, but 

this incredibly large area represents a trading post where the location is not precisely known. Historic maps 

indicate that there might have been some minor historic development in the western and southern portions 

of the project area. Most historic uses of this area appear to be associated with borrow/dumping/filling and 

railroad activities.

The geoarchaeological investigation was conducted by Branden K. Scott (principal investigator) on 

September 13 and 16, 2019. The principal investigator was assisted by a drill rig crew from Terracon 

Consultants, Inc. Sampling consisted of using a drill rig with 3” split spoon recovery at 12 selected locations 

within the project area. These locations were chosen to gain a representative sample of alluvial landforms 

below historic fill levels. Some locations in the project area could not be sampled because 1) existing, deep 

water retention ponds, 2) deciduous tree vegetation that prevented machine access, 3) utility corridors with 

dense concentrations of buried utilities/infrastructure, 4) surficial wetlands/fens that prevented machine 

access, and 5) inability to gain access permission from lands not owned by the City of Des Moines. Cores 

were extracted with the intent of reaching buried Des Moines River channel deposits so that the entire 

Holocene alluvial sequence could be assessed and documented. Cores were described in the field as they 

were extracted by Branden K. Scott. The resulting cores identified two major landform types below historic 

fills. The northern portion of the project area appears to be a historic-aged, abandoned channel of the Des 

Moines River. This was documented by thin Camp Creek Member sediments overlying channel sands. 

The southern portion of the project area encountered deposits associated with slackwater/wetland deposits 

that likely formed during the Late Prehistoric/early historic periods (late Roberts Creek/early Camp Creek). 

Both landform types are interpreted to be inhospitable for extended human settlement during the Late 

Prehistoric/early Historic periods. No sediments of older age (such as Gunder Member-associated alluvial 

deposits) were encountered in the project area. The western portion of the project area occurs in a former 

borrow area that has stripped the Holocene alluvial sequence to Des Moines River channel deposits. Based 

on the nature of historic fills, Impact7G believes that it would be very difficult to differentiate potential 

historic building sites from the surrounding brick and concrete fill matrix.
8

Impact7G believes that the portion of the project area where geoarchaeological testing occurred has low 

potential for significant archaeological sites. The area represents a historic Des Moines River channel 

backed by a low floodplain/wetland that would have been an unattractive location for extended human 

settlement. 

Information contained in this report relating to the nature and location of archaeological sites is considered 

private, confidential, and not for public disclosure in accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 307103); 36 CFR Part 800.6 (a)(5) of the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation’s rules implementing Sections 106 and 110 of the Act; Section 9(a) of the Archaeological 

Resource Protection Act (54 U.S.C. § 100707), and Chapter 22.7, subsection 20 of the Iowa Code.

Project Area Location

The project area occurs in Polk County in the Southern Iowa Drift Plain physiographic region (Prior 1991; 

Figure 1). The project area is further located in the S 1⁄2, SW 1⁄4, Section 2 and the S 1⁄2, SE 1⁄4, Section 3, 

T78N, R24W, Lee Township, Polk County, Iowa (Figure 2). The project area is bounded by Martin Luther 

King Jr. Parkway to the south and East 18th Street to the east in Des Moines (Figure 3). The project area 

goes under Southeast 14th Street/US Highway 69. The project area occupies approximately 14.5 ha (35.9 

ac) of alluvial landforms in the Des Moines River valley. Project plans indicate that the proposed 

development on this property will be a railroad transload facility. The western portion of the project area 

will be comprised of mostly elevated railroad tracks. The eastern portion of the facility will house 

buildings/structures associated with the facility. Depths of disturbances are unknown at this time, but most 

earthmoving/excavation is likely to occur in the eastern portion of the project area where buildings will be 

located. Use of fill material will likely be higher in the western portion of the project area to elevate railroad 

beds.

Geoarchaeological Research Design

The purpose of a geoarchaeological investigation is to provide information on landscapes, landforms, 

potential for buried archaeological sites, and to direct future archaeological investigations. Impact7G 

focuses on the geologic environment containing archaeological resources to locate and evaluate 

archaeological properties and we cater field investigations to local geomorphological conditions. Local 

geomorphology and site formation processes are responsible for burial, preservation, and destruction of 

archaeological resources and these same processes affect our ability to locate sites. Geologic environments 

also weigh heavily on human settlement decisions and they affect locations/types of plant and animal 

communities. Utilizing geomorphological data can aid in predicting site locations in relation to area 

landforms, as has been demonstrated throughout Iowa alluvial environments (e.g., Bettis and Benn 1984; 

Bettis et al. 1992; Bettis and Thompson 1981; Bettis et al. 1996) and upland landscapes (e.g., LANDMASS 

site suitability model). Focusing on local geologic conditions can lead to identification of post-settlement 

alluvium (PSA), disturbances, manipulated landscapes, and buried surfaces. An understanding of local 

geology also provides an archaeologist the ability to make informed decisions regarding where and how 

deep to conduct subsurface testing. Geological data greatly weigh on a site’s context/artifact associations. 

To conduct this research, geologic cores are extracted, documented, and interpreted as a means of

determining how and where to conduct archaeological testing.
9

Environmental and Geomorphological Context

Physiographic Region

The project area is positioned within the Des Moines River valley in Prior’s (1991) Southern Iowa Drift 

Plain physiographic region (Figure 1). The Southern Iowa Drift Plain is Iowa’s largest physiographic 

region. Most regional landforms are comprised of Pre-Illinoian tills that date to greater than 300,000 years 

old overlaying Pennsylvanian bedrock. However, the last known significant glacial advance into this region 

occurred approximately 500,000 years ago, with the Yarmouthian Interglacial occurring between ~300,000 

and 500,000 years ago. There are four general surfaces associated with this region. The highest landforms 

(upland summits) are composed of Pre-Illinoian till that was exposed to weathering during the Yarmouth, 

Illinoian (~130,000–300,000 years ago), and Sangamon (~130,000–30,000 years ago) stages. Below the 

upland summits is the Late Sangamon Surface, followed on lower portions of hillslopes by a Wisconsinan 

erosional surface (~30,000–10,500 years ago). These three Pleistocene surfaces are often covered with 

loess, particularly Peoria Loess, which fell between ~12,000–25,000 years ago. Holocene (~10,500 years 

ago–present) alluvial landforms are positioned below Pleistocene surfaces and they represent current stream 

valleys (Prior 1991).

The Southern Iowa Drift Plain is characterized by dissected landscapes that have created a well-connected 

network of drainage systems and streams incising into surrounding uplands. This region has steeply rolling 

hills, narrow interfluves, and uplands with rills and ravines (Bettis and Littke 1987; Prior 1991). Upland 

summits in the region have similar elevations, revealing the glacial origins of this dissected landscape.

Brief History of the Des Moines River Valley

The project area is positioned within the Des Moines River valley at the base of the Bemis terminal moraine 

of the Des Moines Lobe. The history of the Des Moines River valley is directly tied to glacial advances 

and retreats that existed north of the project area. The Des Moines Lobe of the Laurentide Ice Sheet 

advanced into Iowa approximately 15,000 years ago, reaching its southern terminus approximately 14,000 

years ago. When glacial ice retreated from the Des Moines area, it left large piles of glacial till and outwash

along the terminal and lateral edges; deposits that are now known as the “Bemis Moraine”. This moraine 

forms the northern edge of the Des Moines River valley at the project location. As the glacier retreated 

northward, meltwaters accumulated in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Rivers and streams were the main

carriers of glacial meltwater, which carved much of the present river valleys. There are three distinct 

streams/rivers in the vicinity of the project area that helped shape the valley (Pope et al. 2014). The Raccoon 

River was likely the first major stream to form in this area. The Raccoon River follows the south and 

southwest margins of the Des Moines Lobe. This river carried significant quantities of meltwater as well 

as water from other streams that were cutoff by the Des Moines Lobe and diverted to the Raccoon River 

valley (Artz and Bettis 2013). The Beaver Creek channel is the next oldest stream in the vicinity of the 

project area. Beaver Creek cuts through the Bemis Moraine, therefore, it formed less than 14,000 years 

ago. This stream acted as a path for water discharge associated with the Altamont Moraine—a terminal 

glacial moraine that runs through central Iowa. The Des Moines River is younger than both the 

aforementioned waterways. The present Des Moines River valley formed approximately 12,300 years ago 

and carried meltwaters from the Algona Moraine, which occurs in north-central Iowa. These meltwaters 

cut a deep gorge into glacial tills, Wisconsinan loess, and Pennsylvanian bedrock. The Des Moines River 

cut through Beaver Creek, and portions of Beaver Creek’s former channel are still visible in southeastern 

Des Moines. By 11,500 years ago, the glacial retreat from Iowa was complete and ushered in the Holocene 

epoch. The Des Moines and Raccoon River valley experienced slower waters, which led to finer-grained 

sediment aggregation followed by periods of channel incision. These aggregation and incision cycles 

formed terraces throughout the valley.
10

Iowa’s Holocene Alluvial Landscape

Iowa’s river and stream valleys consist of numerous terraces, alluvial fans, colluvial slopes, and wetlands. 

The Holocene alluvial environment is referred to as the “DeForest Formation” (Bettis 1990). DeForest 

Formation members are defined based on composition, age, and degree of soil development (Bettis and 

Littke 1987; Bettis et al. 1992; Bettis et al. 1996). Alluvial members of interest to this investigation are the 

Camp Creek, Roberts Creek, Gunder, and Corrington Members, which are detailed below using 

descriptions from Bettis (1990), Bettis et al. (1992), and Bettis et al. (1996).

The Camp Creek Member represents low landforms immediately adjacent to streams and/or historic 

sediment that mask older buried surfaces. This member is characterized by a lack of developed soils and 

brief periods of deposit stability. This member has weakly developed A horizons with an A-C soil profile, 

often with alluvial stratification evident in profiles. The Camp Creek Member dates to roughly less than 

500 BP (late Holocene and Historic). The most recent sediments associated with this member are termed 

“post-settlement alluvium” or “PSA”. The next oldest alluvial fill is the Roberts Creek Member, which 

dates to approximately 500–3000 BP (middle–late Holocene). This member has A horizons underlain by 

weakly developed B horizons. Sediments associated with this member tend to be dark in color, including 

underlying B horizons. Where downcutting has occurred, Roberts Creek Member landforms can be 

positioned above Camp Creek Member landforms. Lower Roberts Creek landforms are often covered with 

Camp Creek Member sediments. The Gunder Member represents the oldest alluvial fills of the Holocene 

and it dates from 3000–10,500 BP (early–middle Holocene). These alluvial fills have had much longer 

periods of stability, resulting in formation of deep, strongly developed, and oxidized Bt horizons. This 

alluvial member typically represents the highest Holocene-age landform in a valley, although some lower 

Gunder Member landforms can be covered with younger sediments. The Corrington Member represents

alluvial fans that have splayed out at the mouths of tributary streams and upland drainages. These fans 

typically date from 2500–9000 BP (early–middle Holocene). Alluvial fans deposit significant amounts of 

sediment along valley walls and buried soils are common. Also common are voided areas where small 

channels/rills have developed that removed older fan deposits.

Archaeological sites can occur on any DeForest Formation landforms, but ages of sites are limited by the 

age of alluvial fills. Historic Euro-American and Native American sites can be found in Camp Creek 

Member deposits. Context and artifact associations are often problematic in these landforms because the 

Camp Creek Member has limited stability. Roberts Creek Member sediments can contain historic sites, but 

they also have potential for buried Late Prehistoric, Woodland, and Late Archaic sites. Gunder Member 

landforms can contain archaeological sites though all of prehistory, but they also have potential for buried

Early to Late Archaic and Paleoindian sites. Corrington Member fans can contain archaeological sites of 

any age, but fan sediments can contain buried Paleoindian–Late Archaic sites with limited potential for 

buried Woodland and Late Prehistoric sites. The DeForest Formation works well for modeling most of 

Iowa’s stream and river valleys, but larger river valleys have local histories and landforms that often require 

individual classification (e.g., Bettis et al. 1996; Bettis and Benn 1984).

Past Geoarchaeological Work in the Des Moines River Valley

Bettis and Benn (1984) conducted one of the earliest geoarchaeological investigations of the central Des 

Moines River valley in the downstream corridor below the dam at Saylorville Reservoir. Bettis and Benn 

(1984) identified three distinct Holocene valley surfaces within the downstream corridor and related those 

surfaces to the types of archaeological sites that might be encountered. The High Terrace consists of silty, 

loamy, and silty clay loam overbank deposits atop sand and fine gravel. Soil horizons were well 

differentiated, and no stratification were evident. High Terrace soil stratigraphy typically consists of dark 

silt loam to silty clay loam A horizons underlain by silt loam and silty clay loam Bt horizons which are 

typically much browner than the A horizons. Oxidation is also present. These horizons are noneffervescent. High Terrace landforms can contain buried Early and Middle Archaic sites, with later 
11

occupations occurring nearer the surface of the terrace. The High Terrace is comparable to the Gunder 

Member of the DeForest Formation. The Intermediate Terrace began forming at around 4000 B.P to 1000 

BP. The Intermediate Terrace consists of a complex sequence of alluvial landforms, with several distinct 

levels indicated within the valley. These soils are typically entisols or inceptisols. Intermediate Terraces 

typically have darker A horizons comprised of loam and sandy loam with Bw horizons that are usually 

slightly browner in color. Soil horizons in the Intermediate Terrace tend to be non-effervescent and 

carbonates have had time to leach from the soil. Buried soils are common. This landform can contain 

buried archaeological components typically dating from the Late Archaic period (3000–800 BC) through 

the Oneota period (1050–1400 AD in central Iowa). The Intermediate Terrace is comparable to the Roberts 

Creek Member of the DeForest Formation. The Low Terrace was formed after 1000 BP and it contained 

the modern floodplain of the Des Moines River. This floodplain was covered with forest and it was 

regularly flooded. All soils associated with the low terrace are entisols with some organic accumulation 

and weak structural development. These deposits typically lack B horizons. These surfaces are Late 

Prehistoric to modern in age (post 1000 AD). Low Terrace sediments can bury Intermediate Terraces, as 

is the case at the Christianson Oneota site (Benn 1991; Benn et al. 2003). The Low Terrace is comparable 

to the Camp Creek Member of the DeForest Formation.

Lawrence and Hotopp (1978) completed a survey for a road improvement project in the floodplain south 

of the current project area. It doesn’t appear that much pedestrian survey or subsurface testing was 

conducted during this survey. Instead, the authors state, “The land in the vicinity of the project has been 

disturbed in the past by road construction and the building of various businesses and residences. It is 

doubtful that any archaeological materials could be found undisturbed or in context due to the fast [sic] 

amount of construction activities which have previously taken place in the project area.”

Brice, Petrides and Associates, Inc. (1985; Figure 2) conducted an investigation through the center of the 

project area. However, this past investigation was unable to penetrate historic fills, but they mention that 

there is potential for buried archaeological deposits in river alluvium and below some historic fills; a fairly 

astute observation in 1985.

Winham and Mandel (1991) conducted geomorphological investigations in the Saylorville downstream 

corridor for a sewer project using backhoe trenches. Low Terraces in the area typically had an A-C (or ApC) profile with a stratified C horizon. Although low in topographic position, profiles of the Low Terrace 

were relatively well drained and lacked colors/redoximorphic features associated with wetland 

environments. Trench “Phase 7, Segment 5, Area C” produced a profile consisting of A-C-2Ab-C with red 

brick occurring in the lower levels indicating that some Low Terraces have buried, weakly developed 

entisols/inceptisols. Intermediate Terraces typically had a A-Bw-BC profile with occasional buried soils 

with loamy to silty clay loam textures with some landforms having a sandy texture. Colors ranged from 

grayish browns to brown and wetland soils were not encountered in most locations. Redoximorphic 

features were absent from the profiles and some effervescence was noted in buried soils. The trench placed 

on the Low Terrace at Phase 7, Segment 4, Area B produced a profile of historic alluvium (A-AC) atop a 

buried wetland deposit (2Ab1-2Ab2-2Bg-2BCg1-2BCg2). The wetland deposit consisted of dark colored 

silty clay loam to silty clay over an olive (5Y 5/3) basal unit. Redoximorphic features were common in the 

B and BC horizons. Subsequent investigations of this unit (Johnson and Winham 1992) encountered no 

archaeological materials. The landform was interpreted to be an area of “limited stability and a slack-water 

environment, thus limiting the likelihood of sustained occupation of the area” (Johnson and Winham 

1992:20). Encountered High Terraces yielded Ap-A-Bw-C1-C2-2C profiles and sediments were mostly 

brown and comprised of sandy loams. 

Peterson et al. (1993) also conducted a survey in the floodplain near the project area. Peterson et al. (1993) 

placed 30 bucket auger tests in her project area where surface visibility was reduced. Most of these tests 

were excavated to at least 100 cm below surface. While formal profiles were not recorded, most augers 
12

encountered layers of historic fill over sands and occasional silt loams. Only historic-era artifacts were 

encountered.

Whittaker et al (2007) surveyed the southern portion of the project area for part of the southeast connector 

project (Figure 2). Using historic map research, Whittaker et al. (2007) mapped likely historic channel and 

wetland locations within the project area (Figures 4 and 5). This background research was accomplished 

by superimposing historic maps atop the current topographic map. According to this map, most of the 

project area occurred in a wetland and/or within a stream channel (Figure 4). Whittaker et al. (2007) also 

identified the current project area as a probable historic meander bend (Figure 5). Such meander bends 

probably account for Dean’s Lake, which is an oxbow lake located east of the project area. While numerous 

maps were made of the area that outline potential geomorphological conditions, Whittaker et al. (2007) 

conducted no subsurface testing or coring within the current project area because they interpreted the area 

as “disturbed”.

Investigations in downtown Des Moines on the west bank have also added to our understanding of alluvial 

processes in the Des Moines River valley (Artz 2019a; Artz et al. 2003; Nagel et al. 2005). Investigations 

in the downtown area consisted of a series of mechanical backhoe trenches and 20 geotechnical cores 

positioned on built-over, alluvial landforms adjacent to the Des Moines River. Trenches placed in 2005 

encountered urban fill over oxidized, loamy alluvial sediments associated with the Gunder Member/High 

Terrace. Low Terraces were also encountered, and they consisted of typically brown to black loams with 

stratification evident. The Unit 4 trench encountered stratified black and greenish gray alluvium with 

occasional thin sandy interbeds. This alluvial package was also encountered in nearly all the other trenches. 

This was interpreted to be a slackwater deposit associated with an oxbow. This type of deposit was common 

in cores extracted from the current project area. Low Terrace deposits were interpreted to be historic-aged 

alluvium based on the types of artifacts recovered. Artz (2019a) conducted coring near the backhoe 

trenches from 2005 and identified mostly historic-era alluvial deposits (Camp Creek) adjacent to a higher, 

mixed Roberts Creek/Gunder Member landform. Gunder Member deposits typically had distinct clay skins 

on ped surfaces. Roberts Creek Member overlaid the Gunder Member deposits. Roberts Creek deposits 

consisted of thick units of dark silty clay to silty clay loam with weak to medium structure, common 

redoximorphic features, and occasional very dark gray clay coats. These sediments were non-effervescent, 

suggesting that carbonates had time to leach from the profiles. Camp Creek sediments were typically very 

dark silty clay to silty clay loam with some green coloration, common wood and plant macrofossils, thin 

bedding, and a weak structure parting across bedding planes. Redoximorphic features were also common. 

Camp Creek sediments from these cores were non-effervescent.

Pope et al. (2014) identified a Middle Archaic site in the Des Moines River floodplain approximately 1.5 

km (0.9 mi) southeast of the project area. The Pope et al. (2014) report provides by far the most 

comprehensive analysis of geomorphological conditions in this section of the Des Moines River valley. 

The Palace Site is buried in Gunder Member sediments beneath the surface of the High Terrace. The site 

was bounded to the west and south by a Low-Intermediate Terrace complex, of which the current project 

area resides (Figure 6). Profiles at the Palace Site identified four lithofacies units. Unit I, the basal layer, 

consisted of sandy to gravelly fluvial and glaciofluvial deposits associated with river channels and glacial 

outwash. Unit II consisted of lateral accretion, point bar facies. This unit contained stratified alluvium 

comprised of silt loam, loamy sand, and thin beds of silty clay loam and fine sands. Lamination was evident. 

Unit III consisted of vertical accretion deposits that contained the earliest cultural deposits. Unit III covered 

the Unit II facies. Unit III had a well-developed soil of predominantly clay to silt loam and it lacks 

stratification. The cultural deposits were often capped by sand-rich sediments. This unit was interpreted 

to be Gunder Member in age. Unit IV consisted of silt loam and silty clay loam with typical A-C and ABw horizonation. At least one prehistoric component was identified in this unit. The unit had alternating 

beds of light brown and dark colored soils, with the darker layers interpreted as buried A horizons. This 

unit was interpreted to be associated with the late Gunder Member. Unit V consisted of loamy-textured 
13

vertical accretion deposits with a high percentage of sand. These deposits were interpreted as levee or splay 

deposits. This unit was interpreted to be a late Holocene deposit.

Artz (2019b, 2019c) recently undertook a geoarchaeological investigation upstream from the project area 

for a proposed pump station. Profiles recorded on this section of the river (immediately adjacent to the 

river) consisted of stacked A-C horizons of sandy loam, loam, and sand. Colors ranged from black to brown 

within the same profile. Most sediments effervesced with hydrochloric acid, which led Artz (2019b, 2019c) 

to conclude that the sediments were Camp Creek in age because Roberts Creek and Gunder sediments are 

almost always leached of carbonates. 

Soil Survey Data

Soil survey data were obtained from the web application provided by the Natural Resources Conservation 

Service (2018), the paper soil survey compiled by Dideriksen and Radatz (2000), and information provided 

by Artz (2005). Described soils within the project area are detailed below and on Figure 7. Older soil 

survey maps from 1921 and 1960 were not available.

Table 1. Soil Survey Data

Symbol Soil Series Member/Landform Description

220

Nodaway silt 

loam, 0–2% 

slopes

Camp Creek

This is a nearly level, moderately well drained soil 

that occurs in floodplains. This soil formed in silty 

alluvium under mixed prairie and deciduous forest. 

The typical profile is Ap-C1-C2-C3.

4000 Urban land Disturbed/Fill

This map unit consists of areas that are covered with 

buildings, roads, streets, parking lots, mobile home 

parks, auto salvage yards, and railroad yards. The 

original soils can no longer be identified. No typical 

profile exists for this map unit.

Nearly the entire project area is mapped as “Urban Land”. This mapping unit is generally associated with 

disturbed locations where the natural soil is no longer intact. This unit is unhelpful when detailing the 

geoarchaeological potential of floodplain environments because these “disturbances” could be infilling of 

alluvial landforms that would mask the natural surface that occurs below fill zones. The Nodaway soil is 

present in the far western portion of the project area. This soil type is typically associated with low stream 

terraces that were deposited less than 500 years ago. The position and shape of this soil unit suggests that 

prior to “urban land”, the Nodaway soil extended further into the project area. It is very likely that a similar 

soil could be present below historic fill levels. Additional areas surrounding the project area consist of 

“Nodaway-Urban Land Complex”. This suggests that nearly all areas below historic fills could be 

associated with the Nodaway soil, and by extension, the Camp Creek Member of the DeForest Formation. 

Nearly all previously recorded archaeological sites on this floodplain in proximity to the project area are 

from the historic period, which adds a little bit of data concerning the potential historic nature of the 

floodplain. However, archaeological site 13PK966 (Palace site) is located 1.5 km (0.9 mi) southeast of the 

project area in the Nodaway soil, suggesting that there are positions within the Des Moines River floodplain 

that contain buried, older alluvial surfaces.

Use of soil survey data requires geomorphological field investigations for corroboration. While useful at a 

pre-field stage to identify landforms that might contain significant archaeological sites, soil types can be 

plotted incorrectly, or local conditions can create profiles that deviate from the “typical profile” outlined 

by the soil survey.
14

Buried Site Potential

Iowa’s alluvial environment is complex. Pre-field data acquired concerning potential geomorphological 

conditions suggests need for on-site field investigations to determine prehistoric archaeological site 

potential at this location.

Historic Maps and Aerial Photographs

Historic maps and aerial photographs were used to track potential channel movements and land use in the 

project area. There are no Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of this area. The General Land Office map (1848;

Figure 8) shows much of the project area in a wetland. In fact, approximately 7.5 ha (18.5 ac) of this large 

wetland occurs within the project area. This wetland likely represents a river oxbow. A channel is shown 

in the eastern portion of the project area. This location has an approximate area of 2.5 ha (6.2 ac). Terraces 

might exist around the wetland and channel features. A farm field is depicted in the far eastern portion of 

the project area. The Andreas (1875) map shows the project area in an “urban” environment, but there are 

no notable streams or wetlands depicted in this area. (Figure 9). The Tate and Tate map from 1899 shows 

the project area with multiple rail lines and platted additions (Figure 10). These additions do not appear to 

have taken off and there is little additional evidence that anything was built on these parcels, except possibly 

in the west and south-central sides where topographic maps show some houses. No information pertaining 

to the geology of the area or past stream movements are depicted on this map. The Hovey map from 1902 

shows no buildings occupying the project area (Figure 11). Instead, the area has multiple rail lines crossing 

property owned by the City of Des Moines and Brook and Company. The Des Moines River is depicted to 

the south near its present location. Similar land use is depicted on the maps from 1914 and 1930 (Kenyon 

Company 1914; Hixson 1930; Figures 12 and 13).

The topographic maps from 1905 and 1907 depict the project area on the floodplain at the base of the Bemis 

terminal moraine (Figures 14 and 15). These 1:62,500 maps do not provide much significant topographic 

information (like would be shown on a 1:24,000 map), but they do outline some interesting elements. First, 

there are small upland drainages flowing south from the moraine toward the project area/floodplain. These 

small drainages can often produce alluvial fan deposits along the valley wall. Second, the project area is 

shown at the same elevation as Dean Lake which is east of the project area. The elevational similarity 

might indicate that the oxbow to the east is topographically related to lands within the project area. Third, 

there appears to be housing and street development in the western portion of the project area. This suggests 

that a portion of the project area might have existed on higher landforms prior to historic infilling.

The topographic map from 1956 provides the most detailed mapping of the project area prior to historic 

infilling (Figure 16). According to this map, most of the project area occurred in depressional areas that 

mark former channel locations. These areas are redrawn on Figure 17. The depressional areas encompass 

9.0 ha (22.3 ac) of the project area, or 62.1%. Slightly elevated areas are positioned in the western portion 

of the project area and within the southern portion of the project area. The 1956 map does not depict houses 

in the western portion of the project area. Instead, houses are placed in the southern portion of the project 

area on this map.

The aerial photograph from 1938 shows the project area on an industrial parcel with numerous railroad 

tracks (Figure 18). A few, small buildings might be present in the southern portion of the project area. 

Additionally, there is some evidence of potential residential development in the western portion of the 

parcel. No data concerning the geomorphological history are shown on this aerial photograph. The aerial 

photograph from 1955 shows the project area on a railyard with numerous disturbances (Figure 19). Similar 

disturbances are noted on the aerial photograph from 1961 and 1974 (Figures 20 and 21). From 1983 to 

2013, borrow areas are clearly shown on the aerial photograph and portions of the project area were being 

used for an auto salvage yard (Figures 22 and 23). After cleanup, the land was left idle.
15

Based on historic maps, nearly the entire project area occurred within a depression/wetland or within a 

channel belt during the historic period (Figure 17). Exceptions occur in small localized areas in the far 

western, central, and far eastern portions of the project area. According to Whittaker et al. (2007), most of 

these exceptions occur within historic meander belts (Figure 5). 

The LiDAR image depicts the project area on areas of disturbance, fill, and made retention basins (Figure 

24). It is difficult to decipher the geologic landscape at this location, but a few general trends can be 

observed. First, the project area appears to be slightly lower than areas to the south and east (at the location 

of the Palace site). Second, oxbow lakes and streams have a natural curvature back toward the project area, 

suggesting that portions of the project area were once the active channel in the recent past. And third, there 

has been significant manipulation of the terrace surface and this has likely masked the shapes and 

distributions of naturally occurring alluvial landforms. The railroad tracks north of the project area do not 

appear to cross alluvial fans, or if they do, the alluvial fans are not distinguishable from the manmade 

landscape. It is possible that the former course of the Des Moines River abutted the valley wall at this 

location, which could account for the lack of visible alluvial fans and the very steep, nearly straight-sided 

sideslope of the Bemis Moraine.

Geoarchaeological Field Methods and Results

Geomorphological Methods

The geoarchaeological investigation sought to identify the subsurface landscape within the project area. 

The project was initiated on August 22, 2019 when maps first came to Impact7G. Branden Scott visited 

the site with a handheld soil probe to determine if there was potential to explore the subsurface with a 3⁄4” 

soil probe. It was quickly realized that historic fills were too dense to penetrate by hand. After multiple 

utility locate requests, Impact7G began explorations using a drill rig operated by Terracon Consultants, Inc. 

The method of core extraction consisted on using a 3” split-spoon bit with lengths of 0.8 m (2.5 ft) and 1.5 

m (5 ft). The bit was hammered into the ground. In locations with dense fill, a drilling bit was used to 

remove concrete and brick rubble that could not be extracted in the core. Drilling of dense fill resulted in 

the lack of core recovery in some portions of the historic fill layers. Cores were then placed on split PVC 

pipes for recordation. Core recording was consisted with Natural Resources Conservation Service 

nomenclature and methods (Shoeneberger et al. 2012). Carbonates were tested with 36% hydrochloric acid 

concentrate cut to 10% with distilled water. Cores were split in half and wood marker blocks were placed 

at 50 cm intervals along the cores. The cores were then individually photographed, then described.

At the outset of this project, Impact7G outlined where they would prefer to place cores, and located 16 

potential core locations(Figure 25). Three of these locations could not be extracted because we were unable 

to secure landowner access. These proposed core locations occurred near the valley wall and were hoped 

to be retrieved to determine if potential alluvial fan deposits occur along the valley wall. Most cores were 

to be placed in the eastern portion of the project area where 1) there was more land available for subsurface 

exploration, 2) there would be higher likelihood of encountering mixed landform types, 3) there was better 

access for the drill rig (i.e., not within an excavated, man-made wetland), and 4) this location will be the 

focus of most construction excavation activities. The eastern area was examined in an almost systematic 

fashion, with cores extracted near Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, through the center of the project area, 

and along the valley wall where there could be alluvial fan deposits. Another reason for choosing core 

locations was that these areas presented the best chances for finding sub-fill terraces based on historic map 

analysis. Additional cores were placed around large man-made wetlands to better round out descriptions 

in the project area. A notable borrow area was present in the western portion of the project area on the 

LiDAR image. Impact7G placed a core in this area to determine depths of past borrowing activity and to 
16

determine if there was potential for intact deposits associated with HILD 159, A.K.A. Dirt Lodge Trading 

Post. The location of this trading post is unknown, but it is described as being near the mouth of the 

Raccoon River between 1824 and 1831.

Field conditions limited the ability to place cores in all proposed positions. Portions of the project area 

have surface wetlands/fens that prevented the drill rig from entering and coring. Impact7G had to shift core 

locations to better accommodate the equipment. Also, tree cover prevented access to a few locations and 

cores had to be shifted to a new position. Impact7G was able to place 12 cores within the project area on 

September 13 and September 16, 2019 (Figure 26).

Geomorphological Results

Impact7G was able to extract twelve cores from the project area on September 13 and 16, 2019. The results 

of these cores are presented below. Core locations and associated alluvial landform type are presented on 

Figure 26. Core logs are presented in Appendix A. The project area occurred on alluvial landforms covered 

with dense fill. The project area was covered with grasses and deciduous trees with limited surface visibility

(Figures 27–36).

Profile Designation: Core 1

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,778.582 East; 4,603,949.252 North

Photographs: Figures 37–41

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–178 Fill 1

Brownish yellow (10YR 6/6), light gray (10YR 7/1), dark greenish gray (5GY 

3/1), black (10YR 2/1), and greenish gray (10GY 5/1) silty clay, clay, and brick; 

massive structure; loose; some cinders; abrupt boundary.

178–211 Fill 2 Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam; massive structure; firm; frequent 

wood, cinders, and brick; non-effervescent.

211–236 Abg Very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silty clay loam; moderate, medium blocky structure; 

firm; non-effervescent; clear boundary.

236–274 ABgb

Grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy clay loam; moderate, medium subangular 

blocky structure; friable; faint strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) and brown (7.5YR 4/4) 

redoximorphic features; slightly effervescent; clear boundary.

274–318 Bgb

Dark gray (10YR 4/1) medium sand; weak, medium subangular blocky structure; 

friable; diffuse strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) mottles/redoximorphic features; noneffervescent; abrupt boundary.

318–402 2Cgb1 Brown (10YR 5/3) medium sand; massive structure; single grain sand; loose; wet; 

non-effervescent.

402–450 2Cgb2 Brown (10YR 4/3) medium-coarse sand; massive structure; loose; noneffervescent; wet; End.

The presence of an ABg and Bgb horizon in Core 1 suggests that this core sampled late Roberts Creek 

member alluvium. This alluvial deposit is thin for a Roberts Creek deposit (107 cm thick). The ABgb 

horizon showed effervescence, which suggests that this soil has not been in place long enough to have 

carbonates leach from the profile. Redoximorphic features, organic material and reduced colors are quickly 

encountered. The poorly drained nature of this profile suggests that the soil formed in a perennially wet 

environment that would be inhospitable to extended human habitation throughout much of the year. 

Archaeological sites are not anticipated at this location.
17

Profile Designation: Core 2

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,808.364; East; 4,603,986.888 North

Photographs: Figures 42–45

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–19 A Brown (10YR 4/2) loamy sand with some fill material; weak, fine subangular 

blocky structure; friable; slightly effervescent; clear boundary.

19–96 Fill 1

Light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4), yellow (2.5YR 7/6), reddish yellow (7.5YR 

7/6), and greenish gray (5GY 6/1) clay loam and sand; massive structure; loose; 

violently effervescent; abrupt boundary.

96–140 Fill 2

Greenish gray (N 5/1), dusky red (10R 3/3), and strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) silty 

clay; massive structure; firm; less rock than above; non-effervescent; abrupt 

boundary.

140–250 Fill 3

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) sandy loam; weak, fine subangular blocky 

structure; friable; some rock, brick, and cinders; slightly effervescent; unclear 

boundary.

250–282 Ab

Very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silty clay; moderate, coarse blocky structure; 

firm/compacted; common roots; strong marsh gas odor; non-effervescent; clear

boundary.

282–305 Cgb

Dark gray (10YR 4/1) silty clay; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; friable; 

black (10YR 2/1) stratification evident; finely laminated; roots common; 

common brown (7.5YR 5/4) redoximorphic features; breaks on laminations; 

slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

305–419 2Cgb Light gray (10YR 7/1 and 10YR 7/2) grading to yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) 

medium-coarse sand; massive structure; loose. End.

Core 2 represents a thin (56 cm thick) deposit of stratified alluvium with an Ab-Cgb sequence. The soil

horizons show evidence of stratification, redoximorphic features, carbonates, and organic material. This 

core appears to represent late Holocene alluvium that settled onto historic-age channel deposits. Significant 

archaeological sites are unlikely to occur at this location.

Profile Designation: Core 3

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,792.835 East; 4,604,043.388 North

Photographs: Figures 46–51

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–20 A Very dark brown (10YR 2/2) loamy sand; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable; non-effervescent; abrupt boundary.

20–183 Fill 1

Brown (10YR 4/2) sand, silt, clay and rocks; massive structure; firm/compacted; 

some brick; breaks along planes in shale/clay; slightly effervescent; unknown 

boundary.

183–232 Fill 2

Reddish brown (2.5YR 4/4), dark reddish brown (2.5YR 2.5/3), and light 

greenish gray (5GY 7/1) clay; massive structure; plastic; frequent concrete and 

rock; strongly effervescent; abrupt boundary.
18

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

232–260 Ab

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silty clay; moderate, medium subangular 

blocky structure; firm/compacted; significant quantities of organic/root matter; 

strong marsh gas odor; historic glass at 250 cm; non-effervescent; unclear 

boundary.

260–480 Unknown No recovery.

480–533 Cgb

Dark gray (10YR 4/1) silty clay; no structure information available (poor 

recovery); black (10YR 2/1) stratification evident; roots common; common 

brown (7.5YR 5/4) redoximorphic features appear to have been present; appears 

to have dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) and very dark brown (10YR 2/2) coarse 

sand lenses; unclear boundary. Incomplete, poorly recovered cores.

533–586 2Cgb Light gray (10YR 7/1 and 10YR 7/2) grading to yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) 

medium-coarse sand; massive structure; loose. End.

Core 3 has a relatively deep profile (~3 m thick) below fill levels. The Ab horizon shows signs of being 

formed under a perennially wet environment, which typically adds to the thickness of soil cores. Below 

the Ab horizon, the drill rig had difficulty obtaining a core and keeping it in the spoon. The Camp Creek 

member designation for this core derives from the Cgb horizon, which was very similar to the sample 

extracted from Core 2. The C horizon also had recognizable stratification and interbedded sand lenses. 

This type of deposit is likely slackwater silts and clays that settled out atop channel deposits. This location 

is too young to contain significant archaeological sites.

Profile Designation: Core 4

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,710.503 East; 4,604,046.328 North

Photographs: Figures 52–57

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–13 A Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) silty clay; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable; slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

13–57 Fill 1

Gray (10YR 6/1), dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), and olive yellow (2.5Y 6/6) 

silt, clay, and rock; massive structure; friable; slightly effervescent; clear 

boundary.

57–83 Fill 2

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2), black (10YR 2/1), and yellowish brown 

(10YR 5/4) sandy clay loam; massive structure; firm; frequent brick; strongly 

effervescent; abrupt smooth boundary

83–196 Fill 3

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and greenish gray (5G 6/1) loamy sand; 

massive structure; friable; large pieces of wood, some brick; strong sewer gas 

odor; non-effervescent; abrupt boundary.

196–259 Ab

Very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silty clay; moderate, medium subangular blocky 

structure; firm; frequent roots/organics; compacted; some gray (10YR 6/1) silt 

inclusions; strong marsh gas odor; non-effervescent; unknown boundary.

259–286 ACb

Dark gray (10YR 4/1) loamy sand; weak, very fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable; stratification evident; common grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sand lenses; 

non-effervescent; clear smooth boundary.

286–316 Cb1/PSA Very dark gray (10YR 3/1) and dark gray (10YR 4/1) silty clay; weak, fine 

subangular blocky structure; friable; non-effervescent; abrupt boundary.

316–350 Cb2/PSA

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/1) silt to silty clay; massive structure; friable 

with plasticity; breaks across lamination planes; non-effervescent; abrupt 

boundary.
19

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

350–390 2Cgb Gray (10YR 6/1) medium-coarse sand; massive structure; loose; single grain 

sand; wet. End.

Core 4 is comprised of Camp Creek member alluvium. The A horizon is fairly thick at this location (63 

cm), but the ACb and Cb1 horizons are composed of stratified PSA atop channel sands. This landform 

likely represents a historic course of the Des Moines River and it is too young to contain significant 

archaeological sites.

Profile Designation: Core 5

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,717.417 East; 4,604,003.528 North

Photographs: Figures 58–62

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–17 A Grayish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy clay; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

plastic; some historic materials; non-effervescent; clear boundary.

17–153 Fill 1

Greenish gray (10Y 6/1), dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), light gray (10YR 7/1), 

brownish yellow (10YR 6/6), and brown (10YR 5/3) clay, rock, and mettle; 

massive structure; firm; slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

153–186 Fill 2 Brown (10YR 5/3) and light gray (10YR 7/1) coarse brick and concrete and some 

silt loam; massive structure; loose; violently effervescent; abrupt boundary.

186–259 Fill 3

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and olive yellow (5Y 6/6) sandy loam; 

weak, fine subangular blocky structure; friable; frequent cinders, tar paper at 209 

cm; non-effervescent; abrupt boundary.

259–280 Ab

Dark gray (10YR 4/1) and very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silty clay; weak, 

fine subangular blocky structure; friable; some brown (7.5YR 4/4) redoximorphic 

features; bedding planes evident; non-effervescent; clear boundary.

280–333 2Cgb

Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) medium-fine sand; massive structure; loose; single 

grain sand; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) and light gray (10YR 7/1) thin sand lenses; 

stratified; non-effervescent. End.

Core 5 represents the historic course of the Des Moines River. Below fill deposits is a very thin A horizon 

(21 cm) atop channel sands. This location is too young and unstable to contain significant archaeological 

sites.

Profile Designation: Core 6

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/13/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,718.123 East; 4,603,960.959 North

Photographs: Figures 63–67

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–10 A Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loamy sand; weak, fine subangular blocky 

structure; friable; some historic material; non-effervescent; gradual boundary.

10–124 Fill 1

Brown (10YR 5/3), greenish gray (5GY 6/1), dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), 

and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay and sand; massive structure; firm; rock 

frequent; compacted; violently effervescent; abrupt boundary.
20

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

124–174 Fill 2

Dark gray (10YR 4/1), yellowish brown (10YR 5/4), and strong brown (7.5YR 

5/6) sandy clay loam; massive structure; friable; frequent wood and cinders; 

violently effervescent; clear boundary.

174–380 Fill 3

Very dark brown (10YR 2/2) silty clay loam; massive structure; friable; rocks 

and wood frequent; tin at 240 cm; strong hydrocarbon odor; violently 

effervescent; unclear boundary.

380–500 2Cgb

Gray (10YR 5/1) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) medium-fine sand; massive 

structure; loose; excessively wet; tin at 422 cm (possibly pushed down by core). 

End.

This profile produced fill materials over channel deposits. The top of the profile has a modern, developing 

A horizon (current vegetative surface). There was difficulty in obtaining a solid core for 224 to 380 cm 

below surface because wood kept compressing the soil in the core. However, no sediment that could be 

interpreted as an A or B horizon was encountered above the channel sands.

Profile Designation: Core 7

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,647.342 East; 4,603,969.038 North

Photographs: Figures 68–75

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–183 Fill 1

Dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) greenish gray (5GY 6/1), dusky red (10R 3/3), 

and very dark brown (10YR 2/2) sandy clay; weak, medium subangular blocky 

structure; firm; some rock; concrete rubble; non-effervescent; unclear boundary.

183–284 Fill 2

Very dark gray (10YR 3/1) sandy loam; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable; cinders, brick, and wood present; plastic at 182 cm; strong odor of 

creosote; slightly effervescent; unclear boundary.

284–299 Fill 3

Dark greenish gray (5GY 4/1) silty clay with faint olive (5Y 4/4) mottles; weak, 

fine subangular blocky structure; plastic; some wood with creosote odor (possibly 

from above); slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

299–356 Fill 4 Black (10YR 2/1) sandy loam; massive structure; loose; common cinders, glass, 

and brick; violently effervescent; abrupt boundary.

356–383 Fill 5

Dark greenish gray (10GY 4/1), dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4), and very dark 

grayish brown (10YR 3/2) sandy clay; massive structure; friable with plasticity; 

some brick and rock; slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

383–401 Ab1

Very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt loam; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable; frequent crushed aquatic gastropod shell; decaying wood common; noneffervescent; clear boundary.

401–406 Ab2

Very dark gray (10YR 3/1) silt loam; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

plastic; aquatic gastropod shell common; slightly effervescent; unknown 

boundary.

406–558 Bgb

Dark greenish gray (5GY 3/1 and 10Y 3/1) silty clay; weak, medium subangular 

blocky structure; friable with plasticity; aquatic gastropod shell common; slightly 

effervescent; abrupt boundary.

558–562 2Cgb Dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) medium-coarse sand; massive structure; loose; 

slightly effervescent; single-grain sand. End.

Core 7 is interpreted to be an early Camp Creek member deposit. The entire Holocene sequence at this 

location is confined to 1.75 m of silty to silty clay alluvium. The soil is weakly developed, has an 
21

effervescence reaction, has reduced colors, and decaying organics and aquatic gastropod shells are 

common. This profile is consistent with slackwater deposits formed in oxbow lakes. This location would 

have been perennially wet and inhospitable throughout much of the Late Prehistoric and early Historic 

period. Archaeological sites are unlikely to occur at this location.

Profile Designation: Core 8

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,619.66 East; 4,603,995.269 North

Photographs: Figures 76–83

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–113 Fill 1

Very pale brown (10YR 7/4), dark brown (10YR 3/3), very dark grayish brown 

(10YR 3/2), dark olive brown (2.5YR 3/3), olive (5Y 5/4), yellow (5Y 7/6), and 

greenish gray (5G 6/1) clay, silt, sand, and rock; massive structure; firm; brick 

common; interbedded with black (10YR 2/1) cinders; strongly effervescent; 

abrupt boundary.

113–180 Fill 2

Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay with black (10YR 2/1) beds of cinders; 

massive structure; firm/compacted; brick common; some greenish gray (5GY 

6/1) silts/clays; violently effervescent; abrupt boundary.

180–332 Fill 3 Black (10YR 2/1) silt loam; massive structure; loose; cinders, brick, and wood 

common; violently effervescent; unclear boundary

332–400 Fill 4 Black (10YR 2/1) silt and cinders; massive structure; friable; some brick; abrupt 

boundary.

400–408 Fill 5 Black (10YR 2/1) and dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) sand and cinders; 

massive structure; loose; wet; glass common; abrupt boundary.

408–448 Abg

Greenish black (10Y 2.5/1) silt loam; weak, fine subangular blocky structure; 

friable with plasticity; dense small aquatic gastropod shell; coarse sand lenses; 

slightly effervescent; clear boundary.

448–650 Bgb

Greenish black (10Y 2.5/1) sandy clay loam; weak, fine subangular blocky 

structure; plastic; common aquatic gastropod shell; common organic material; 

sand lenses common; slightly effervescent. End. Wetness and slumping made 

deeper coring difficult.

Core 8 is very similar to Cores 10 and 11. This location is interpreted to be an early Camp Creek or late 

Roberts Creek member deposit. The Bgb horizon is very thick (like Core 10). Colors are reduced, 

redoximorphic features are common, and aquatic gastropod shells occur throughout the profile. Both the 

Abg and Bgb horizons had carbonates present, indicating that the landform has not had enough time for 

carbonates to leach out. This landform is interpreted to be a late Holocene/early historic slackwater deposit 

associated with an oxbow. This type of location would have been perennially wet and inhospitable for 

extended human settlement.

Profile Designation: Core 9

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,605.516 East; 4,604,023.807 North

Photographs: Figures 84–88
22

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–179 Fill 1

Very dark gray (10YR 3/1), dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6), light gray (10YR 

7/2), light olive brown (2.5Y 5/6), dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), and greenish 

gray (5GY 5/1) silt, clay, and sand; massive structure; firm; common cinders, 

brick, and concrete; hydrocarbon odor; abrupt boundary.

179–233 Ab

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and brown (10YR 4/3) silt loam; weak, fine 

subangular blocky structure; friable; slight bedding/lamination; hydrocarbon 

odor; slightly effervescent; clear boundary.

233–279 ACb

Gray (10YR 5/1) and dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sand; weak, very fine 

subangular blocky structure; friable; parts on laminations; slightly effervescent; 

clear boundary.

279–371 2Cb Light gray (10YR 7/1) and white (10YR 8/1) medium-coarse sand; massive 

structure; loose; single grain sand; non-effervescent; gradual boundary

371–422 2Cgb Light gray (10YR 7/2) and light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) coarse sand; 

massive structure; loose; single grain sand; non-effervescent; wet. End.

Core 9 encountered an Ab-ACb-2Cb soil sequence consistent with the Camp Creek member. The sediments 

have weak structure and laminations are clearly distinguishable. The alluvial package is thin 

(approximately 1 m of Holocene alluvium), indicating that this location was likely part of the historic 

floodplain and it represented very low alluvial landforms at the time of European settlement. This core 

likely represents a small, historic-age terrace. Archaeological sites are unlikely to occur at this location due 

to position on the landscape and youthful age.

Profile Designation: Core 10

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,486.741 East; 4,603,952.78 North

Photographs: Figures 89–95

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–380 Fill 1

Greenish gray (10Y 6/1), dark gray (N 4/), red (2.5YR 5/6), and strong brown 

(7.5YR 4/6) silt, clay, sand, and rock; massive structure; firm; cinders, concrete, 

and brick common; wood and glass present; creosote odor; unknown boundary.

380–402 Ab

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, fine subangular blocky 

structure; friable with plasticity; frequent aquatic gastropod shells; strong marsh 

gas odor; slightly effervescent; gradual boundary.

402–495 Bgb1

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and black (10YR 2/1) silty clay loam; weak, 

fine subangular blocky structure; friable with plasticity; common strong brown 

(7.5YR 4/6) redoximorphic features; frequent organic material; slightly 

effervescent; clear boundary.

495–580 Bgb2

Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) silty clay loam; massive structure; plastic; 

common strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) redoximorphic features; slight gray (10YR 

6/1) laminations/bedding; non-effervescent; abrupt boundary.

580–610 2Cgb Dark gray (N 4/) medium-coarse sand; massive structure; non-effervescent; 

loose. End.

Core 10 represents a late Roberts Creek member deposit. The interpretation of this member is based on the 

thickness of the Bgb horizon and the slight effervescence of carbonates that have not leached from the 

profile. The Ab horizon is very thin (22 cm) and it has frequent aquatic gastropod shells and a strong odor 

of marsh gas. The Bgb and BCgb horizons have strong redoximorphic features and a high organic content 

that is consistent with slackwater deposits formed in oxbow lakes. This type of landform would have been 
23

perennially wet during the Late Prehistoric and early historic periods, making in an unsuitable location for 

extended human settlement.

Profile Designation: Core 11

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 450,517.211 East; 4,603,994.687 North

Photographs: Figures 96–100

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–213 Fill 1 Brick and concrete rubble; could not get description because of no recovery.

213–460 Fill 2 Yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and light gray (10YR 7/1) sand, concrete, and brick; 

no structure data available; some wood; minimal recovery.

460–500 Bgb

Dark gray (N 4/) silty clay; massive structure; plastic; common, coarse strong 

brown (7.5YR 4/6) redoximorphic features; common aquatic gastropod shells; 

slightly effervescent; abrupt boundary.

500–520 2Cgb Gray (10YR 5/1) medium sand; massive structure; loose; wet; non-effervescent. 

End.

Core 11 consisted of fills atop a truncated Bgb horizon which is interpreted to be associated with the late 

Roberts Creek member. It is unclear if truncation occurred because of past borrowing/earthmoving 

activities or fluvial action. The Bgb horizon is very similar to Core 10, and this soil formed in an excessively 

wet environment as noted by color reduction, redoximorphic features, and aquatic gastropods. The “late 

Roberts Creek” designation derives from carbonates in the horizon that have not had time to leach from the 

profile. This location likely represented a slackwater deposit associated with an oxbow during the Late 

Prehistoric and early historic period. This type of environment is unlikely to yield archaeological deposits 

because it would have been perennially wet and difficult to settle on for extended periods.

Profile Designation: Core 12

Method: Drill rig, 2–5’ split spoon

Slope: 0-2%

Vegetation: Mixed tall grasses

Recorder: B. Scott, 9/16/2019

Location: NAD83; Zone 15; 449,875.556 East; 4,603,981.127 North

Photographs: Figures 101–104

Depth (cm) Soil Horizon Description

0–12 A Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) silt loam; 

weak, fine subangular blocky structure; friable; clear boundary.

12–76 Fill 1 No description available; no recovery; abrupt boundary.

76–98 Cg1/PSA

Grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silt with light gray (10YR 7/1) stratification; massive 

structure; friable with plasticity; stratified alluvial deposit; brown (7.5YR 4/4) 

redoximorphic features; slightly effervescent; clear boundary.

98–134 Cg2/PSA Grayish brown (10YR 5/2) fine sand; massive structure; friable; wet; noneffervescent; abrupt boundary.

134–220 2Cgb Brown (10YR 5/3) medium sand; massive structure; single grain sand; loose; wet; 

lenses of strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) medium sand; non-effervescent. End.

Core 12 was placed in the western portion of the project area to determine if borrowing activities removed 

the Holocene alluvial sequence. A small section of fill was encountered and drilled through. Below fill 
24

layers were modern flood deposits (PSA) atop channel sands. Past borrowing activities in this area removed 

sediments above channel deposits and significant archaeological sites will not be found in this area.

Discussion

Correlating profiles across space produces a predictable pattern to alluvial deposits (Figure 26). In the 

northern parts of the project area, Camp Creek member sediments over channel sand dominate. This 

suggests that the historic river course backed up against the valley wall and cut a channel through the project 

area. Only Core 9 produced a profile that could be a slightly elevated, better drained Camp Creek Member 

terrace landform. The remainder of the cores appear to be slackwater deposits atop channel sands and the 

soils developed in a wet, marshy environment. The southern portion of the project area produced cores 

consistent with the late Roberts Creek/early Camp Creek members. Profiles in the southern portion of the 

project area were highly reduced, contained significant quantities of organic material, had common aquatic

gastropods, and redoximorphic features were common. These sticky clays and silts are indicative of lowlying wetlands that formed in depressional areas. This area was likely an oxbow/wetland during the Late 

Prehistoric/early historic periods. Older alluvium (i.e., Gunder Member or High Terrace) was not 

encountered within the project area. The types of landforms represented below historic fills would have 

been swampy, wet, and inhospitable for extended human settlement. 

The historic fills were likely placed atop this location to elevate the ground surface out of these swampy 

conditions for modern development or just as a general dumping area. Historic topographic maps indicate 

the presence of some potential buildings/structures in the western and southern portions of the project area. 

The western portion of the project area (where geoarchaeological investigations were able to be conducted) 

consisted of a borrow area that stripped Holocene sediments to the underlying channel sands. Historic 

archaeological resources are unlikely to be found in these areas. The southern portion of the project area 

has been disturbed by large utility trenches and man-made water retention basins. Significant historic-era 

sites are unlikely to be preserved in this area. The remainder of the project area has little to no historic 

development outside of railroad tracks. If there were small structures in the project area, their 

archaeological deposits would be masked by the dense historic fills (much of which is building materials 

from other properties around Des Moines), making it nearly impossible to differentiate a historic building 

component from the surrounding concrete and brick fill.

Constraints to Investigation and Deviations from Best-Practice Guidelines

The entire project area has been manipulated by past activities and there are significant quantities of historic 

infilling atop the original alluvial surface. This has masked potential subsurface landscape features. 

Impact7G attempted to locate cores to best sample the subsurface environment. The surface conditions did 

not allow for cores to be extracted in all proposed locations. Portions of the project area have standing 

wetlands/fens and equipment was not able to access these areas. Furthermore, tree vegetation prevented a 

core being placed in one location. Impact7G focused testing on areas where there will be the greatest 

amount of proposed subsurface work. A section of the project area is not owned by the City of Des Moines, 

and we could not get access for this area prior to initiation to this project. Concrete and brick fill material 

also limited the ability to extract complete cores because these locations in profile had to be drilled out with 

no recovery.
25

Recommendations

Impact7G encountered only slackwater deposits associated with wetland/oxbow lake environments (late 

Roberts Creek and Camp Creek member deposits) and Camp Creek member alluvium over channel sands 

in the portion of the project area where site access was granted. These locations have low potential for 

significant archaeological sites. Impact7G recommends no additional archaeological investigations for the 

portion of the project area where geoarchaeological testing could be conducted. Additional investigations 

might be warranted for areas where landowner access was not obtained prior to the completion of this 

report. It is anticipated, however, that profiles consisting of Camp Creek Member alluvium over channel 

sands will be encountered in this non-sampled area because it appears the Des Moines River was positioned 

against the valley wall at this location.

Despite our best efforts, archaeologists have not devised survey and testing methods that can guarantee all 

archaeological sites will be identified within a project area all the time. If unanticipated archaeological 

sites are encountered during earthmoving/development, activities should cease, and the overseeing

Federal/State agency should be contacted as well as the SHPO at (515) 281-5111. The developer is 

responsible for protecting cultural resources from additional disturbance until a professional examination 

is made and permission to proceed with development is granted by the overseeing Federal/State agency and 

SHPO. Human burials are protected by Iowa law (Chapter 716.5, Iowa Code). If human remains are 

encountered, take measures to secure the find(s) and contact the State Medical Examiner at (515) 725-1400 

or city, county, or state law enforcement agencies. If human remains are suspected to be 150 years old or 

older, also contact the Bioarchaeology Program at the Office of the State Archaeologist at (319) 384-0740.
26

References Cited

Andreas, Alfred T.

1875 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa. Andreas Atlas Company, Chicago.

Artz, Joe A.

2005 Ackmore to Zwingle; Soil Series of Iowa. Electronic document, www.iowaisites.com/soilseries/, accessed September 21, 2019. Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa 

City.

2019a Geoarchaeological Assessment for the Proposed Federal Courthouse Building, Des Moines, 

Polk County, Iowa. CRM Report 80. Impact7G, Inc., Clive, Iowa.

2019b Phase I Geoarchaeological Assessment for the SE 9th Street Pump Station, City of Des Moines, 

Polk County, Iowa. CRM Report 67. Impact7G, Inc., Clive, Iowa.

2109c Letter Report: Supplement to CRM Report 67: Phase I Geoarchaeological Assessment for the 

SE 9th Street Pump Station, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Impact7G, Inc., Clive, Iowa.

Artz, Joe A., and E. Arthur Bettis III

2013 Pennsylvanian, Cretaceous, and Quaternary Geology of the Whiterock Conservancy, on the 

Middle Raccoon River, Guthrie and Carroll Counties, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 1969. 

Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Artz, Joe A., William E. Whittaker, and Jan Olive Nash

2003 Phase IA Geomorphological, Archaeological, and Architectural/Historical Reconnaissance for 

the Proposed Des Moines River Outfall and Overflow Sewer, Sections 4, 9, and 10, T78N-R24W, 

Polk County, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 1083. Office of the State Archaeologist, University 

of Iowa, Iowa City.

Association of Iowa Archaeologists

2018 Association of Iowa Archaeologists Guidelines. Association of Iowa Archaeologists, Iowa City.

Benn, David W.

1991 The Christenson Oneota Site, 13PK407. Journal of the Iowa Archeological Society 38:16–55.

Benn, David W., Lowell Blikre, Lucretia S. Kelly, Derek V. Lee, Gina S. Powell, and Jeffrey R. Straka

2003 Data Recovery Excavations at the Christenson Oneota Site (13PK407), Polk County, Iowa. 

BCA 959/1029. Bear Creek Archeology, Inc., Cresco, Iowa.

Bettis, E. Arthur III

1990 Holocene Alluvial Stratigraphy and Selected Aspects of the Quaternary History of Western 

Iowa. Guidebook for the 37th Midwest Friends of the Pleistocene Field Conference.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, Jeffrey D. Anderson, J. S. Oliver, David W. Benn, and Michael D. Wiant

1996 Landform Sediment Assemblage (LSA) Units in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, United 

States Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Vol. 1 & 2. Illinois State Museum Research 

and Collections Center. Quaternary Studies Program, Technical Report No. 95-1004-11b, 

Springfield, Illinois.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, Richard G. Baker, William R. Green, Mark K. Whelan, and David W. Benn
27

1992 Late Wisconsin and Holocene Alluvial Stratigraphy, Paleoecology, and Archaeological 

Geology of East-Central Iowa. Guidebook Series No. 12, Quaternary Studies Group Contribution 

No. 51.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, and David W. Benn

1984 An Archaeological and Geomorphological Survey in the Central Des Moines River Valley, 

Iowa. Plains Anthropologist 29:211–227.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, and John P. Littke

1987 Holocene Alluvial Stratigraphy and Landscape Development in Soap Creek Watershed 

Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, and Wapello County, Iowa. Contribution No. 14, Iowa Quaternary 

Studies Group, Geological Survey Bureau, Iowa City.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, Deborah J. Quade, and Timothy J. Kemmis

1996 Hogs, Bogs, and Logs: Quaternary Deposits and Environmental Geology of the Des Moines 

Lobe. Guidebook Series 18. Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City.

Bettis, E. Arthur III, and Dean M. Thompson

1981 Holocene Landscape Evolution in Western Iowa: Concepts, Methods, and Implications for 

Archeology. In Current Directions in Midwestern Archeology: Selected Papers from the Mankato 

Conference, edited by Scott Anfinson, pp. 1–14. Occasional Publications in Minnesota Anthropology 

No. 9. Minnesota Archeological Society, St. Paul.

Brice, Petrides and Associates

1985 Cultural Resources of the CBD Loop Arterial Project Area: Phase II Investigations: Project No. 

M-2787(1)-81-77. Brice, Petrides and Associates, Waterloo, Iowa.

Dideriksen, Robert O., and Caryl A. Radatz

2000 Soil Survey of Polk County, Iowa. U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources 

Conservation Service. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

General Land Office

1848 Secretary of State Land Survey Records: Description of the Lands on the Interior Sectional 

Lines. On file, State Historical Library, Iowa City.

Hixson, W. W.

1930 Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. W. W. Hixson and Company, Rockford, Illinois.

Hovey, Arthur M.

1902 Atlas of Polk County, Iowa. Arthur M. Hovey, Knoxville, Iowa.

Johnson, Mark, and R. Peter Winham

1992 Archeological and Geomorphological Evaluation of the Des Moines Sewer Reroutes, Phase 2, 

Supplement A. Archeology Laboratory, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kenyon Company

1914 Atlas and Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa. Kenyon Company, Des Moines, Iowa.

Lawrence, Emilie, and John Hotopp

1978 F-65-4 Reconstruction Polk County. Project Completion Report 2(9). Office of the State 

Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.
28

Nagel, Cindy L., Cynthia L. Peterson, and Joe. A. Artz

2005 Phase I Geomorphological and Archaeological Investigation for the Proposed Des Moines 

River Outfall and Overflow Sewer Project, Stage 1, South of Court Avenue, City of Des Moines, Polk 

County, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 1161. Office of the State Archaeologist, University of 

Iowa, Iowa City.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

2018 Soil Survey of Polk County, Iowa. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 

Electronic document, https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda/gov/Home Page.htm.

Peterson, Cynthia L., Fred A. Finney, and Stephen C. Lensink

1993 Phase I Archaeological Survey of the CBD Loop Alternative and Fifteenth Street Extension, City 

of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 374. Office of the State

Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Pope, Melody, William E. Whittaker, and Angela R. Collins (editors)

2014 The Palace Site (13PK966): A Middle Archaic Habitation and Burial Site in Des Moines. 

Contract Completion Report 2000. Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Prior, Jean C.

1991 Landforms of Iowa. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.

Schoeneberger, P. J., D. A. Wysocki, E. C. Benham, and Soil Survey Staff

2012 Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils. Version 3.0. Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Tate, J. C., and F. C. Tate

1899 Tate’s Atlas of Des Monies and Plat Directory to Additions, Subdivisions and Official Plats in 

Des Moines, Iowa. J. C. and F. C. Tate, Des Moines, Iowa.

Whittaker, William E., Melody Pope, John Doershuk, and Stephen C. Lensink

2007 Phase I Intensive Archaeological Investigation of the Proposed Des Moines Southeast 

Connector Project, SE 12th Street to U.S. 65, Polk County, Iowa. Contract Completion Report 1550. 

Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Winham, R. Peter, and Rolfe Mandel

1991 Archeological and Geomorphological Evaluation of the Des Moines Sewer Reroutes, Phase 2. 

Archeology Laboratory, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
29

Figures
Southern Iowa

Drift Plain

Iow

L

Missouri River

Alluvial Plain

Des Moines

Lobe

Iowan Surface

Loess Hills

Northwest

Iowa Plains

Paleozo

Plateau

Project Area

Figure 1. Physiographic location of the project area

Project Area
Figure 2. Topographic location of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Previous Survey

Brice, Petrides and Associates 1985

Whittaker et al. 2007
Figure 3. Vicinity map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 4. Wetlands and streams mapped by Whittaker et al. (2005) within the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 5. Proposed historic meander belts mapped by Whittaker et al. (2005)

within the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Proposed Meander Bends (Whittaker et al. 2007)
Figure 6. Sediment packages in the Des Moines River floodplain based on

Pope et al. (2014)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Area Surface Geology From Pope et al. (2014)

Bemis Moraine

Low-Intermediate

Terrace Complex

Outwash (Algona?)
4000

4220

5080

4138B

5040

4055

4000

220

4138C

W

4000

4138B

L62F

4055 4946

220

220

5040

4138C

5040

4138C

4138D

W

4220

4138C

4220

W

Figure 7. Soil map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 8. 1848 General Land Office map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 9. 1875 map of the project area (Andreas)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 10. 1899 map of the project area (Tate and Tate)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area

No Map Available
Figure 11. 1902 map of the project area (Hovey)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 12. 1914 map of the project area (Kenyon Company)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 13. 1930 map of the project area (Hixson)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 14. 1905 Topographic map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 1,250 2,500 Feet

0 380 760 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Des Moines, Iowa 1:65,000
Figure 15. 1907 Topographic map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 1,250 2,500 Feet

0 380 760 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Des Moines, Iowa 1:65,000
Figure 16. 1956 Topographic map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 1,250 2,500 Feet

0 380 760 Meters

Legend

Project Area

Des Moines, Iowa 1:24,000
Figure 17. Outlined depressional areas/stream courses based on historic maps

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

1840s Channel

1840s Wetland

Project Area

1956 Depressions
Figure 18. 1938 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 19. 1955 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 20. 1961 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 21. 1974 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 22. 1983 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 23. 2013 aerial photograph of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
Figure 24. LiDAR image of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area
^_ ^_ ^_ ^_ ^_

^_

^_ ^_ ^_

^_

^_

^_

^_ ^_

^_

^_ kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kjkj

kj

kj kj kj

9

8

7

4

5

6

3

2

1

12 11

10

Figure 25. Proposed versus actual core locations

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 550 1,100 Feet

0 170 340 Meters

Legend

Project Area

kj Core

Tree Line

^_ Proposed Core

No Access

Borrow Area

Buried Utilities

Retention Basin
kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj

kj kj

9

8

7

4

5

6

3

2

1

12 11

10

Figure 26. Scale map of the project area

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 500 1,000 Feet

0 145 290 Meters

Legend

Project Area

kj Core

Tree Line

Landform Boundary

No Access

Borrow Area

Buried Utilities

Retention Basin

Stripped Borrow Area

Historic Des Moines River Channel

Late Roberts Creek/

Early Camp Creek Wetland
Figure 13. 1930 map of the project area (Hixson)

Created by: B. Scott 9/26/2019

0 850 1,700 Feet

0 255 510 Meters

Legend

Project Area
56

Figure 27. Retention basin in the eastern part of the project area. View southeast (9/13/2019)

Figure 28. Coverage of the project area. View west (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
57

Figure 29. Coverage of the project area. View north (9/13/2019)

Figure 30. Coverage of the project area. View east (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
58

Figure 31. Retention basin in the southern portion of the project area. View west (9/16/2019)

Figure 32. Disturbed utility corridor in the southern portion of the project area. View west 

(9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
59

Figure 33. Retention basin in the southern portion of the project area. View west (9/16/2019)

Figure 34. Example of surface fen in the project area (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
60

Figure 35. Coverage of the project area. View west (9/16/2019)

Figure 36. Western portion of the project area showing past borrow. View west (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
61

Figure 37. Core 1, part A (9/13/2019)

Figure 38. Core 1, part B (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
62

Figure 39. Core 1, part C (9/13/2019)

Figure 40. Core 1, part D (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
63

Figure 41. Core 1, Part E (9/13/2019)

Figure 42. Core 2, part A (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
64

Figure 43. Core 2, part B (9/13/2019)

Figure 44. Core 2, part C (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
65

Figure 45. Core 2, part D (9/13/2019)

Figure 46. Core 3, part A (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
66

Figure 47. Core 3, part B (9/13/2019)

Figure 48. Core 3, part C (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
67

Figure 49. Core 3, part D (9/13/2019)

Figure 50. Core 3, part E (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
68

Figure 51. Core 3, part F (9/13/2019)

Figure 52. Core 4, part A (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
69

Figure 53. Core 4, part B (9/13/2019)

Figure 54. Core 4, part C (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
70

Figure 55. Core 4, part D (9/13/2019)

Figure 56. Core 4, part E (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
71

Figure 57. Core 4, part F (9/13/2019)

Figure 58. Core 5, part A (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
72

Figure 59. Core 5, part B (9/13/2019)

Figure 60. Core 5, part C (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
73

Figure 61. Core 5, part D (9/13/2019)

Figure 62. Core 5, part E (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
74

Figure 63. Core 6, part A (9/13/2019)

Figure 64. Core 6, part B (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
75

Figure 65. Core 6, part C (9/13/2019)

Figure 66. Core 6, part D (9/13/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
76

Figure 67. Core 6, part E (9/13/2019)

Figure 68. Core 7, part A (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
77

Figure 69. Core 7, part B (9/16/2019)

Figure 70. Core 7, part C (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
78

Figure 71. Core 7, part D (9/16/2019)

Figure 72. Core 7, part E (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
79

Figure 73. Core 7, part F (9/16/2019)

Figure 74. Core 7, part G (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
80

Figure 75. Core 7, part H (9/16/2019)

Figure 76. Core 8, part A (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
81

Figure 77. Core 8, part B (9/16/2019)

Figure 78. Core 8, part C (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
82

Figure 79. Core 8, part D (9/16/2019)

Figure 80. Core 8, part E (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
83

Figure 81. Core 8, part F (9/16/2019)

Figure 82. Core 8, part G (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
84

Figure 83. Core 8, part H (9/16/2019)

Figure 84. Core 9, part A (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
85

Figure 85. Core 9, part B (9/16/2019)

Figure 86. Core 9, part C (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
86

Figure 87. Core 9, part D (9/16/2019)

Figure 88. Core 9, part E (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
87

Figure 89. Core 10, part A (9/16/2019)

Figure 90. Core 10, part B (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
88

Figure 91. Core 10, part C (9/16/2019)

Figure 92. Core 10, part D (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
89

Figure 93. Core 10, part E (9/16/2019)

Figure 94. Core 10, part F (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
90

Figure 95. Core 10, part G (9/16/2019)

Figure 96. Core 11, part A (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
91

Figure 97. Core 11, part B (9/16/2019)

Figure 98. Core 11, part C (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
92

Figure 99. Core 11, part D (9/16/2019)

Figure 100. Core 11, part E (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
93

Figure 101. Core 12, part A (9/16/2019)

Figure 102. Core 12, part B (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
94

Figure 103. Core 12, part C (9/16/2019)

Figure 104. Core 12, part D (9/16/2019)

Project Area Photographs

Des Moines Transload Facility Geoarchaeology, Polk County, Iowa
95

Appendix A: Core Logs and Profile Data












108

Appendix B: National Archaeological Database Form
109

Database Doc Number:

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATABASE − REPORTS; DATA ENTRY FORM

1. R and C #:

2. Authors: Scott, Branden K.

Year of Publication 2019

3. Title Geoarchaeological Investigation for the Proposed Des Moines Transload Facility along Martin

Luther King Jr. Parkway, Sections 2 and 3, T79N, R24W, Lee Township, City of Des Moines,

Polk County, Iowa

--------------------------

3. Report Title: Impact7G Reports

Volume #: Report #: CRM 88 NTIS:

Publisher: Impact7G

Place: Clive, Iowa

--------------------------

5. Unpublished

Sent From:

Sent To:

Contract #:

--------------------------

6. Federal Agency:

--------------------------

7. State: Iowa 

County: Polk 

Town:

--------------------------

8. Work Type: 99

9. Keyword: 0 - Types of Resources / Features 1 - Generic terms / Research Questions

2 - Taxonomic Names 3 - Artifact Types / Material Classes

4 - Geographic Names / Locations 5 - Time Periods

6 - Project Names / Study Unit 7 - Other Key Words

14.5 ha (35.9 ac) [ 7 ] [ ]

Southern Iowa Drift Plain [ 4 ] [ ]

Des Moines River Valley [ 4 ] [ ]

Alluvial landforms [ 0 ] [ ]

No resources [ 0 ] [ ]

[ ] [ ]

[ ] [ ]

--------------------------

10. UTM Zone: 15 Easting: Northing:

15 Easting: Northing:

15 Easting: Northing:

15 Easting: Northing:

11. Township: 79N

Range: 24W
110

Other Publication Types:

12. Monographs:

Name:

Place:

--------------------------

13. Chapter: In: First: Last:

--------------------------

14. Journal: Volume: Issue: First: Last:

--------------------------

15. Dissertation:

Degree: Ph.D. LL.D. M.A. M.S. B.A. B.S. Institute

--------------------------

16. Paper: Meeting:

Place: Date:

--------------------------

17. Other:

Reference Line:

--------------------------

18. Site #:

--------------------------

19. Quad Map: Name Des Moines Southeast, Iowa Date 1976
Historic Structures Report

Railroad Transload Facility

T78N, R24W, Section 2 and 3

Des Moines, Iowa

Written by

Patricia Davenport-Jacobs, MHP, PI

Meghan Powell, Architectural Historian

Meagan Scott, Preservation Planner

with

Samantha Hunt, Archaeological Crew Chief

for

Des Moines Industrial, LLC

and

the Federal Railroad Administration

Environmental Services, Inc., A Terracon Company

7220 Financial Way, Suite 100 

Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904)470-2200 

and

Terracon Consultants, Inc.

600 SW 7th Street, Suite M

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

March 2020

Information contained in this report relating to the nature and location of archaeological sites is considered private and 

confidential and not for public disclosure in accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 

§ 307103); 36 CFR Part 800.6 (a)(5) of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s rules implementing Sections 106 and 

110 of the Act; Section 9(a) of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (54 U.S.C. § 100707) and, Chapter 22.7, subsection 

20 of the Iowa Code.
i

ABSTRACT

In March 2020, Environmental Services Inc., a Terracon Company (ESI) conducted a Historic 

Structures Survey of the proposed location for construction of a railroad transload facility in Des 

Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the 

project as proposed will take place on an approximate forty-acre site north of Martin Luther King 

Parkway in the area of SE 14th Street. The undertaking involves the construction of a transload 

facility, including an office/warehouse, a transloading pad, proposed bulk minerals building, 

stormwater detention ponds, an outdoor storage area, and 12,650 feet of proposed railroad track. 

The goals of this investigation were to locate historic properties within the project Area of Potential 

Effect (APE), defined by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA), as the immediate viewshed of the 

project location site, including the project location and adjacent parcels; to evaluate their significance 

for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); and to assess any potential impact the 

undertaking may have on those resources, as mandated by federal laws and guidelines (Code of 

Federal Regulations [CFR], Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 [36 CFR 800]). To meet these objectives 

and supplement both the Phase IA Cultural Resource Survey of the Des Moines Industrial Project and 

the Cultural Resource Desktop Assessment, a Historic Structures Survey was determined necessary. 

In addition to the documentation and assessment of the historic resources, this report includes the 

survey methodology and evaluation criteria, survey methodology, and gives a historic context of the 

area. It also includes an analysis of the historic resources and findings.

As a result of the investigation, fourteen (14) historic resources were documented and assessed, 

including nine (9) previously recorded structures and five (5) newly recorded resources. Two (2) 

properties, the 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895) and C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant (77-10700), 

have previously been recommended eligible for the NRHP by the State Historic Preservation Office 

(SHPO). The remaining twelve (12) resources appear not to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP. 

It is the consultant’s opinion that the project as proposed will be visible from two (2) historic 

properties within the APE. However, the character of the project is in keeping with that of the 

industrial setting, and the fundamental viewsheds from the historic properties will remain the same. 

It is the consultant’s opinion that the project, as proposed, will have no adverse effect on the historic 

properties.
ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................................................................I

INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................................................1

ENVIRONMENTAL & GEOMORPHICAL CONTEXT...........................................................................................................8

METHODOLOGY & PREVIOUS RESEARCH.........................................................................................................................9

Identifying, Documenting, and Evaluating Historic Resources..................................................................................9

Background Research & Previous Survey ........................................................................................................................10

Survey Methodology...................................................................................................................................................................11

Evaluation Criteria ......................................................................................................................................................................12

HISTORIC CONTEXT...............................................................................................................................................................15

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY...................................................................................................................................................21

Site Inventory ID: 77-03895...................................................................................................................................................23

Site Inventory ID: 77-10700...................................................................................................................................................27

Site Inventory ID: 77-12156..................................................................................................................................................31

Site Inventory ID: 77-12157...................................................................................................................................................33

Site Inventory ID: 77-12158...................................................................................................................................................35

Site Inventory ID: 77-07486..................................................................................................................................................37

Site Inventory ID: 77-12159...................................................................................................................................................39

Site Inventory ID: 77-07491...................................................................................................................................................42

Site Inventory ID: 77-03870...................................................................................................................................................44

Site Inventory ID: 77-10706...................................................................................................................................................46

Site Inventory ID: 77-10702...................................................................................................................................................48

Site Inventory ID: 77-10698...................................................................................................................................................51

Site Inventory ID: 77-09469...................................................................................................................................................54

Site Inventory ID: 77-12160...................................................................................................................................................56

RESULTS & ANALYSIS............................................................................................................................................................59

CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................................................61

BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................................................................................62

Appendix A Report Maps

Appendix B SHPO Letter for Site 77-03895 and 77-10700
iii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. APE & Project Location. .............................................................................................................................................................3

Figure 2. Project boundary and APE with Site Plan..........................................................................................................................4

Figure 3. General project area, from center location facing east ................................................................................................5

Figure 4. General project area looking east..........................................................................................................................................5

Figure 5. General project area looking west.........................................................................................................................................6

Figure 6. General project area, from center location facing west...............................................................................................6

Figure 7. General project area looking south.......................................................................................................................................7

Figure 8. Excerpt of the Map of Polk County, Iowa, 1895, showing the project area......................................................16

Figure 9. Excerpt of the 1905 USGS Topographic Map in Des Moines, Iowa......................................................................18

Figure 10. 1930 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa .....................................................................18

Figure 11. 1950 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa .....................................................................19

Figure 12. Excerpt of the 1956 USGS Topographic Map of Des Moines, Iowa ...................................................................19

Figure 13. 1960 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa .....................................................................20

Figure 14. 1970 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa .....................................................................20

Figure 15. Historical resources found within the APE..................................................................................................................22

Figure 16. 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895), looking northwest. ...............................................................................................24

Figure 17: 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895), looking east............................................................................................................25

Figure 18. Looking east from the 14th Street Viaduct. ..................................................................................................................25

Figure 19. Looking west from the 14th Street Viaduct. .................................................................................................................26

Figure 20. C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant (77-10700), looking west.......................................................................29

Figure 21. Amend's Meatpacking Plant (77-10700) additions and alterations. ...............................................................29

Figure 22. Looking northwest towards the APE (across the street) from C. Amends Packing Plant.....................30

Figure 23. Looking north to the APE (across the street) from C. Amend Packing Plant ...............................................30

Figure 24.305 SE 7th Street, facing northwest. .................................................................................................................................32

Figure 25. Looking northeast from Resource 77-14156, 305 SE 7th Street. .......................................................................32

Figure 26. 309 SE 8th Street, facing northwest. ................................................................................................................................33

Figure 27. Looking northeast from 309 SE 8th Street toward the APE..................................................................................34

Figure 28. 900 Raccoon Street, facing northeast.............................................................................................................................35

Figure 29. 900 Raccoon Street, facing northwest. ..........................................................................................................................36

Figure 30. Looking northeast at the APE from 900 Raccoon Street.......................................................................................36

Figure 31. Looking north at 1108 Scott Avenue (77-07468). ...................................................................................................37

Figure 32. Looking northwest at 1108 Scott Avenue (77-07468). .........................................................................................38

Figure 33. Looking northeast at the project location from 1108 Scott Avenue ................................................................38

Figure 34. The western portion of 1300 Scott Avenue, looking north. .................................................................................40

Figure 35. The eastern portion of 1300 Scott Avenue, facing north.......................................................................................40

Figure 36. Looking northeast from 1300 Scott Avenue to the APE ........................................................................................41

Figure 37. 1401 Scott Avenue (77-0491), looking south.............................................................................................................42

Figure 38. 1401 Scott Avenue (77-0491), southwest. ..................................................................................................................43

Figure 39. Looking north to the project location from 1401 Scott Avenue.........................................................................43

Figure 40. Looking northeast at 601 SE 14th Court........................................................................................................................44

Figure 41. The detached garage and rear portion of 77-03870. ..............................................................................................45

Figure 42. Looking north at the APE from 601 SE 14th Court....................................................................................................45

Figure 43. 609 SE 15th Street, 77-10706, looking northeast......................................................................................................46

Figure 44. 609 SE 15th Street, 77-10706, facing southeast. ......................................................................................................47

Figure 45. Looking north from 609 SE 15th Street..........................................................................................................................47

Figure 46. Looking northwest at 500 SE 18th Street......................................................................................................................49

Figure 47. Looking northeast at 500 SE 18th Street. ......................................................................................................................49

Figure 48. Looking northwest from 500 SE 18th Street toward the APE..............................................................................50

Figure 49. Looking south at 302 SE 18th Street................................................................................................................................52

Figure 50. Looking southeast at 302 SE 18th Street. ......................................................................................................................52

Figure 51. Manufactured home/office located at the rear of the parcel...............................................................................53

Figure 52. Looking north from 302 SE 18th Street toward the project area. ......................................................................53

Figure 53. 118 SE 18th Street, 77-09469 facing northeast. .......................................................................................................54
iv

Figure 54. Looking north at 118 SE 18th Street................................................................................................................................55

Figure 55. Looking southwest at the APE from 118 SE 18th Street.........................................................................................55

Figure 56. Wabash System Map..............................................................................................................................................................56

Figure 57. 77-10698 railway facing southeast and the 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895 ...............................................57

Figure 58. Site 77-12160 facing east towards Site 77-09469 ...................................................................................................57

Figure 59. Facing south from Site 77-12160 towards the project area and 77-03895. ................................................58

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Historic Properties within the APE...................................................................................................................................10

Table 2. Previously and Newly recorded Historic Structures within the APE..............................................................59
Transload Facility Des Moines, IA

Historic Structures Report

1

INTRODUCTION

In March 2020, Environmental Services Inc., a Terracon Company (ESI) conducted a desktop analysis 

of the proposed location for development of a railroad transload facility in Des Moines, Polk County, 

Iowa. In July 2018, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO) submitted 

an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant Application (IRAGA) to the US Department of 

Transportation (DOT) seeking a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant 

(BUILDG)for this project. The application was selected for award of Federal funds in November 2018. 

In April 2019, Des Moines Industrial was formed to design, construct, operate and own the transload 

facility. The current undertaking, led by the Federal Railroad Association (FRA), involves the 

construction of a transloading facility north of Martin Luther King Parkway in the area of SE 14th

Street. The site covers approximately forty-acres and is located in the SE 1⁄4 of Section 2 and SW 1⁄4 of 

Section 2, Township 78 North, Range 24 West in Des Moines, Iowa. The undertaking involves the 

construction of a transload facility, including an office/warehouse, a transloading pad, proposed bulk 

minerals building, stormwater detention ponds, an outdoor storage area, and 12,650 feet of proposed 

railroad track. The purpose of the undertaking is to improve the overall freight capacity and railroad 

options in the Des Moines metropolitan area; develop rail centric transportation options for existing 

businesses; to expand extant transportation options to attract new industries to the region; and to 

support economic development in Central Iowa. 

The goals of this investigation were to locate historic properties within the Area of Potential Effects 

(APE), to evaluate their significance for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and 

to assess any potential impact the undertaking may have on those resources, as mandated by federal 

laws and guidelines (Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], Title 36, Chapter VIII, Part 800 [36 CFR 

800]). To meet these objectives and supplement both the Phase IA Cultural Resource Survey of the Des 

Moines Industrial Project and the Cultural Resource Desktop Assessment, a Historic Structures Report

was determined necessary. 

As defined in the National Historic Preservation Act, 800.16(d), the APE is “the geographic area 

within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alteration in the character of use of 

historic properties.” For this undertaking, the FRA defined the APE as the immediate viewshed of the 

project location site, including the project location and adjacent parcels. Desktop analysis, coupled 

with previous surveys and the Polk County Assessor parcel data, resulted in the identification of 

fourteen (14) historic resources, including nine (9) previously recorded structures and five (5) 

resources that were newly recorded. Two (2) historic properties found within the APE (77-03895 

and 77-10700) were previously determined potentially eligible to the NRHP by the Iowa State 

Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The remaining twelve (12) resources were found to be not 

eligible to the NRHP. 

The information contained in this repost relating to the nature and location of archaeological sites 

(none present within this report) is considered private and confidential and not for public disclosure in 

accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 307103); 36 CFR Part 

800.6 (a)(5) of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s rules implementing Sections 106 and 110 
2

of the Act; Section 9(a) of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act 954 U.S.C. § 100707) and, Chapter 

22.7, subsection 20 of the Iowa Code. 
3

Figure 1. APE & Project Location.
4

Figure 2. Project boundary and APE with Site Plan. Resources are identified with yellow points and their Site ID.
5

Figure 3. General project area, from center location facing east.

Site 77-09469 is visible in the background.

Figure 4. General project area looking east, Site 77-09469 is visible in the distance.
6

Figure 5. General project area looking west. The 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895, is visible in the distance.

Figure 6. General project area, from center location facing west. Site 77-03895 is visible.
7

Figure 7. General project area looking south. The City of Des Moines Office & Warehouse, 77-12159, is pictured. 
8

ENVIRONMENTAL & GEOMORPHICAL CONTEXT

Both the environmental and geomorphological context can be found in the Phase 1A Cultural 

Resources Survey, Proposed Railroad Transload Facility Report issued in November 2019 on pages one 

and two.
9

METHODOLOGY & PREVIOUS RESEARCH

Cultural resource management involves a series of activities carried out in succession. The first 

activity is a survey: a systematic examination of historic properties, of which previously recorded 

resources are held by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Surveys are undertaken to determine 

the nature, extent, and character of historic properties, which includes buildings, structures, objects, 

sites, or districts significant in national, state, or local history. It should be clearly distinguished from 

registration and protection of historic buildings, which is provided through listings in the NRHP, and, 

just as importantly, by enacting local historic preservation ordinances. 

Identifying, Documenting, and Evaluating Historic Resources

Within the context of this survey, the term “historic resource” means any prehistoric or historic 

district, site, building, or structure, constructed in or prior to 1970. The identification of historic 

resources begins with their documentation through a professional survey conducted under uniform 

criteria established by federal and state historic preservation offices. The term "historic property” is

defined as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included on, or

determined eligible for inclusion on, the NRHP as defined in 36 CFR Part 800.16 – Protection of

Historic Properties (as amended in August 2004). An ordinance of state and/or local government may

also define a historic property or historic resources under criteria contained in that ordinance. 

An architectural survey is a tool to locate, identify, and evaluate any historic resources that may be 

significant per the National Register criteria and when applicable, consider resources that may be 

eligible for a local register. A survey is a gathering of detailed information on the buildings, structures, 

objects, and artifacts that have potential historical significance. The information should provide the 

basis for making judgments about the relative value of the resources. Not all resources identified or 

documented in the survey process may ultimately be judged "historically significant," protected by a 

historic preservation ordinance, or preserved. Still, all such resources should be subjected to a 

process of evaluation that results in a determination of those which should be characterized as 

historically significant under either federal or local criteria. Historic resource surveys are generally 

conducted within a geographic boundary, defined by an APE, or by collecting thematic data. The 

architectural survey included those historical resources located within the APE.

The Iowa Site Inventory (ISI) is the state's clearinghouse for information on archaeological sites, 

historical structures, and field surveys. A system of paper and computer files, the ISI is administered 

by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (IDCA). Iowa’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

is housed within IDCA. The form on which a site or building is recorded is the ISI Form. Recording a 

site or building on that form does not mean that it is historically significant, but simply that it meets 

a standard for recording. A building, for example, should be at least fifty years old before it is recorded 

on the Iowa Site Inventory. 

Relatively few buildings or sites included in the ISI are listed in the NRHP, the accepted criterion for 

what constitutes a "historic property.” The NRHP is the official federal list of culturally, historically, 

or architecturally significant properties in the United States and is maintained by the US Department 
10

of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS). The buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts 

listed in it are selected under criteria established by NPS. Inclusion on the NRHP is honorary and does 

not imply protection or control over private properties listed unless federal funds or activities are 

allocated toward them. 

Background Research & Previous Survey

ESI initially performed a desktop analysis of the APE and determined fourteen (14) resources met 

the fifty-year cutoff date, according to NRHP criteria. The architectural survey consisted of a 

pedestrian investigation, specifically, to verify the presence of the architectural resources within the 

APE constructed up to 1970. This date was chosen as it satisfies the minimum fifty-year age 

requirement for historic resources set forth by National Register criteria. Data from the Polk County 

Property Appraiser, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Office, and ISites 

Public Data Web Map was collected and cross referenced to insure the accuracy of information and 

correlation with respective buildings. The Appraiser’s Office and ISites database available online 

provided construction dates for all buildings within the APE. Physical characteristics of these 

buildings were compared to insure the architectural character of the buildings were consistent with 

the recorded date of construction and features. As a result of the preliminary assessment, the 

background data research and pedestrian investigation, fourteen (14) resources were identified

(Table 1). Seven (7) of these fourteen (14) resources were previously recorded, and five (5) were 

newly recorded as a result of this survey, as noted in Table 1 below. Other research included an 

examination of the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps, available plat maps, historical aerials and 

United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, as well as recent past and current streetview images available through Google Earth. 

The 2007 survey “Des Moines SE Connector: SE 12th Street to US 65: Historical/Architectural Intensive 

Survey, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, HADB Report No. 77-238 found that Site 77-10700, C. 

Amend & Sons Meatpacking Plant, met National Register eligibility at the local level under Criteria A 

and Site 77-03895, the East 14th Street Viaduct, met National Register eligibility at the local level 

under Criteria C. Following the recommendations of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for 

Identification and the National Register’s Guidelines for Local Surveys, it was determined that both 

historic properties are eligible for the National Register. Based upon the results of the report, the 

analysis recommended avoidance of these historic properties. The Iowa SHPO concurred with these 

findings.

Table 1. Historic Properties within the APE.

Site 

Inventory 

No.

Property Name Property Address Year Built Determination of 

Eligibility 

77-03895 14th Street Viaduct SR 69, between Scott 

Avenue and Vine Street

1936 Recommended 

Eligible

77-10700 C. Amend & Sons Meat 

Packing Plant

410 SE 18th Street 1929 Recommended 

Eligible

77-12156* Sun Tool Warehouse 305 SE 7th Street 1940 Not yet evaluated by 

SHPO
11

77-12157* Husmann Warehouse 309 SE 8th Street 1965 & 1969 Not yet evaluated by 

SHPO

77-12158* Bituminous Materials & 

Supply

900 Raccoon Street 1950 & 1973 Not yet evaluated by 

SHPO

77-07486 House 1108 Scott Avenue 1882 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-12159* City of Des Moines Office & 

Warehouse

1300 Scott Avenue 1967 & 1973 Not yet evaluated by 

SHPO

77-07491 House 1401 Scott Avenue 1901 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-03870 Vestal House 601 SE 14th Court 1938 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-10706 House 609 SE 15th Court 1900 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-10702 United House & Gate 500 SE 18th Street 1941 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-10698 Wolverine World Wide 302 SE 18th Street 1958 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-09469 Heartland Co-Op 118 SE 18th Street 1930 Recommended Not 

Eligible

77-12160* Iowa Interstate Railroad Northern APE 

boundary

Estimated 

mid-1800s

Not yet evaluated by 

SHPO

*Newly recorded resources within the APE.

Survey Methodology

There are several methodologies for surveying. One approach is the thematic survey, which identifies 

all historic properties of a specific type, such as a survey of all libraries within a county. A more 

common survey is the geographic type, which results in a comprehensive recording of all significant 

themes and associated properties within established geographic boundaries, such as a subdivision, 

neighborhood, or city limit. The goal of this survey was to identify and evaluate the significance of 

the extant historic structures within APE that were constructed in or before 1970.

After an initial review of secondary histories, previous surveys, assessor data, and the Iowa Site 

Inventory, additional pre-survey planning included the acquisition of a current property appraiser

map, and historic and current USGS maps. Approximate dates of construction were obtained from 

the Polk County property appraiser’s office. Historic and current USGS maps were obtained to 

ascertain the nature and extent of properties throughout the project area, and changes to the built 

environment that have occurred over the past fifty years. 

Not permitted on private property, the surveyors photographed each building from the ROW as they 

were able, making no attempt to closely inspect foundations or wall framing for structural integrity. 

Additional photographs were taken of the resource from the proposed project location and from the 

resource towards the proposed project location. Ghost-line inspections and visual assessments

provided information on alterations, additions, and the development over time. The integrity of each
12

building was evaluated on the guidelines established by the NRHP, and each resource was recorded 

on an Iowa State Inventory form.

Evaluation Criteria

As requested by the client, the survey team recorded all buildings constructed in or before 1970 

within the APE. This cutoff date was selected to meet the fifty-year criteria used by NPS for assessing 

historic buildings. Polk County Property Appraiser construction dates were used to determine what 

properties were included in the survey. 

The inclusion of buildings in the survey was based on criteria established by the US Department of

the Interior for listing buildings and properties in the NRHP. The NPS is the regulatory body charged

with final evaluation of resources by significance for inclusion in the NRHP. Significance is

determined through the loss or retention of integrity. The evaluation is a subjective judgment but is 

grounded by seven aspects of integrity, which the NPS defines as location, design, setting, materials,

workmanship, feeling and association. 

The fieldwork and survey report required for this project was completed using the professional 

guidelines set forth in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and 

Historic Preservation (48 FR 4416). Field survey methods also complied with 223-41.5(303) of the

Iowa Administrative Code. In addition, all surveys (including this survey) conducted in association 

with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, utilize the NPS criteria for listing of historic properties 

in the NRHP as a basis for site evaluations. This way, the survey results can be used as an authoritative 

data bank for those agencies required to comply with both state and federal preservation regulations. 

The criteria are worded in a subjective manner in order to provide for the diversity of resources in 

the United States. The following is taken from criteria published by the US Department of the Interior 

to evaluate properties for inclusion in the NRHP:

The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture is present in

districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, 

materials, workmanship, and association, and:

A) that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of 

our history;

B) that are associated with the lives of persons significant in the past;

C) that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that 

represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a 

significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;

D) that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. 

Certain properties shall not ordinarily be considered for inclusion in the NRHP. They include cemeteries, 

birthplaces, or graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for 

religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic 
13

buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature, and properties that have achieved 

significance within the past fifty years. However, such properties will qualify if they are integral parts of 

districts that do meet the criteria or if they fall within the following categories:

1. a religious property deriving primary significance from architectural or artistic distinction

or historical importance;

2. a building or structure moved from its original location, but which is significant primarily for 

architectural value, or which is the surviving structure most importantly associated with a 

historic person or event;

3. a birthplace or grave of a historical figure of outstanding importance if there is no 

appropriate site or building directly associated with his or her productive life;

4. a cemetery that derives its primary significance from graves of persons of transcendent 

importance, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic 

events;

5. a reconstructed building when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented 

in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other building or

structure with the same association has survived;

6. a property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has 

invested it with its own historical significance; or

7. a property achieving significance within the past fifty years if it is of exceptional importance.

The City of Des Moines has adopted the NRHP criteria for its local landmark process, with the addition 

of the first criteria (see below). Local criteria also includes the same language as the NRHP for those 

properties not ordinarily considered for inclusion (not duplicated here). The following local criteria 

comes from section 58-58 of the Des Moines Municipal Code:

For purpose of this article, a landmark or landmark site designation may be placed on any site, natural 

or improved, including any building, improvement or structure located thereon that possesses integrity 

of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and that:

1. Is significant in American history, architecture, archaeology and culture;

2. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our 

history;

3. Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;

4. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or 

represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and 

distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or

5. Has yielded or may be likely to yield information important in prehistory or history.

Although it was not within the scope of the project to evaluate the historic resources for potential 

eligibility on the local level, the city’s adoption of the federal standard suggest similar conclusions 

can be drawn about local eligibility. Listing on the NRHP is strictly honorary; regulation of historic 

landmarks is at the local level. 
14

The Department of Cultural Affairs employs the same criteria in a less restrictive manner for selecting

properties to be placed on the Iowa Site Inventory, a repository located in Des Moines. The process

allows for the recording of properties of local significance that could not be included in the NRHP. 

The Iowa Site Inventory is not a state historic register, but an archive that holds cultural resource

documents intended for use as a planning tool and a central repository containing archival data on

the physical remains ofIowa’s history. Each Iowa Site Inventory form represents a permanent record 

of a resource.

Alterations and additions can impact the integrity of a structure. Extensive additions and 

modifications, the use of incompatible exterior sidings and windows, and porch removal or enclosure 

are typical alterations that cause a building to possibly lose its historic character. While some 

modifications are found to be sensitive to the historic character and do not impact the building’s

integrity, other more extreme modifications can diminish the integrity of the resource, therefore

altering the significance. Window replacement is common in older houses as homeowners often 

desire a more energy efficient option. Window alterations that retain the fenestration and light

pattern and use like materials typically do not alter the character of a building. Another sensitive 

alteration would be the enclosure of a side porch or single-car-garage with the original footprint 

intact; the resource may be affected but does not necessarily lose integrity. On the other hand, where 

buildings have had large additions or major alterations to the main façade or prominent features and 

the original portion or feeling of the resource has been altered, so that one cannot determine the

original from the addition, then that is considered diminishing the integrity of the structure and 

therefore would not be a significant resource. Permanent modifications were evaluated more 

methodically than a reversible modification that did not alter the integrity of the structure.
15

HISTORIC CONTEXT

A THOROUGH HISTORY OF THE AREA CAN BE FOUND IN THE 2007 SURVEY DES MOINES SOUTHEAST CONNECTOR 

SE 12TH STREET TO U.S. 65 (REVIEW AND COMPLIANCE NO. 050877091).

The APE is located east of the Des Moines and Raccoon River confluences, south of Interstate 235 and 

east of Highway 69/E 14th Street. The area was historically known as “Southeast Bottoms” and 

Chesterfield, and today includes the Capitol East and Chesterfield neighborhoods (the APE borders 

these two neighborhoods). The overall topography of the area hindered initial development and due 

to the construction of the viaduct in the 1930s, created a major thoroughfare along SE 14th Street. 

With the separation of the railroad tracks and berms to the north, as well as the river to the south, 

the neighborhood is essentially boxed in (Rogers 2007).

The Chesterfield neighborhood is bordered by railroad along Market Street, the Des Moines River to 

the south, East 14th Street on the west and SE 30th Street on the east (Myers 1997).The neighborhood 

originally included a meatpacking district, grain elevators, a brick yard, a coal mine, several various 

businesses, a school, and many churches (Bushnell 1898-90; Denny et al 1988; Tallgrass Historians 

1997).

Originally, this land was wetland, and experienced regular flooding, particular the area of SE 14th

Street and south of the railroad tracks. This, in combination with the proximity to the two packing 

houses, made the area slow to develop (Long 1982). The neighborhoods were predominantly 

residential and industrial, with working-class Euro-American and European families. Many residents 

worked in the coal mines south of the Des Moines river, located at East 15th Street and the Rock Island 

railroad tracks in 1880. Census data in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries indicates 

that many residents of the area worked in the area’s coal mines (Tallgrass Historians 2007).

The railroad allowed for a natural divide between the new State Capitol (1857) and the 

neighborhoods of Southeast Bottoms and Chesterfield. Due to a lack of easy access to transportation 

these neighborhoods were sparsely populated until the 1870s. The Des Moines Valley Railroad had 

tracks along Market Street in 1866; the Rock Island Railroad built tracks along Vine Street in 1884; 

and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was constructed in 1884 between East 5th and 6th

Streets. The next decade “sprouted so many spurs and branches that crossing East 6th Street meant 

bouncing over twenty-two set of tracts in a three-block stretch” (Long 1982).

The neighborhood directly south of the APE, Chesterfield, originally developed as a village named

Gilbert. It was incorporated in 1882 and as early as 1885, residences had been constructed between 

Scott Avenue, Maury Street, SE 14th and Astor Streets (Rogers 2007, p.11; also see Figure 8). They

were sporadically located, suggesting this was not a planned development. According to the 1920 

Sanborn map, railroad tracks were not consolidated and ran in multiple directions between at least 

four blocks. Along with the Southeast Bottoms neighborhood, Chesterfield was also a working-class

neighborhood dependent on the local industries, including distilleries and meatpacking businesses.

Through the mid-20th century, the prosperity of the neighborhood was tied to the surrounding 
16

industry, which has most notably included the railroads, mining, and the meatpacking industry. Its 

height occurred in the early part of the 20th century, with a brief resurgence during WWII (Rogers 

2007). 

Figure 8. Excerpt of the Map of Polk County, Iowa, 1895, showing the project area. 

Courtesy of the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division.

Residential development extended north of Scott Avenue by 1930 (Figure 10), according to aerials, 

along several north-south blocks that are no longer extant. Two decades later, some of the residences 
17

began to vanish, although the streets (along with a few houses) remained through the 1970s (

Figure 118 - Figure 143). Sanborn maps show the continued use of the area south of Scott Avenue 

as a residential area, and expansion west to at least SE 12th Street, with multiple vacant parcels 

evident on the 1920-1950 map. Typical buildings were small with front or rear porches, and several 

churches were also in the area. Streets were unpaved.

Due to the loss of most historic industries in the area and development of modern transportation to 

allow people to travel farther distances, the decline of the area became evident beginning in the 

1960s. The ethnic neighborhood has shifted from the historic Euro-American and African American 

populations to an increasingly Latino population (Tallgrass Historians 2007).
18

Figure 9. Excerpt of the 1905 USGS Topographic Map in Des Moines, Iowa.

Project area is shown in yellow and the APE is shown in blue.

Figure 10. 1930 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa.

Project area is shown in yellow and the APE is shown in blue.
19

Figure 11. 1950 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa.

Project area is shown in yellow and the APE is shown in blue.

Figure 12. Excerpt of the 1956 USGS Topographic Map of Des Moines, Iowa. Project area is shown in

yellow and the APE is shown in blue. For a full-scale map see Appendix A.
20

Figure 13. 1960 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa.

Project area is shown in yellow and the APE is shown in blue.

Figure 14. 1970 Historic Aerial of the project location in Des Moines, Iowa.

Project area is shown in yellow and the APE is shown in blue.
21

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

In March 2020, ESI conducted a Historic Structure Report for the proposed Des Moines Industrial 

transload facility located in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The survey consisted of a pedestrian 

survey and historic architectural analysis of all buildings fifty-years or older within the project APE. 

Fourteen (14) resources were documented as a result of this survey, including the 14th Street Viaduct 

and C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant, both of which have been recommended NRHP eligible by 

SHPO. All resources were evaluated according to the criterial laid out by NPS.
22

Figure 15. Historical resources found within the APE.
23

Site Inventory ID: 77-03895

14th Street Viaduct

Year Built: 1936

The 14th Street Viaduct spans the project area and will have storage tracks built beneath and around 

the bridge supports. An in-depth historical account of the bridges construction and evaluation is also 

found in the Des Moines SE Connector: SE 12th Street to US 65: Historical/Architectural Intensive Survey, 

City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Report No. 77-238. An excerpt of the Viaduct’s history and 

evaluation from that report is found below:

The viaduct is a continuous steel plate deck girder structure built in association with the 

construction of the bridge carrying the SE 14th Street over the Des Moines River. It is part of 

the elevated portion of SE 14th Street leading up to the river bridge making the street a 

freeway and elevating the road over numerous railroad tracks on the north side of the river. 

The viaduct was built by G.G. Herrick of Des Moines and was completed in 1936.

The construction of the E. 14th Street Viaduct and Bridge in the late 1930s enabled the 

rerouting of US Highways 65 and 69 onto SE 14th Street across the new river bridge to the 

highways’ previous alignment along Indianola Avenue. With the completion of the viaduct in 

tandem with the river bridge, SE 14th Street developed into a major thoroughfare linking the 

south side of the river directly with the state capitol area on the north side of the river. 

In 1993-4 Clayton B. Fraser completed an inventory and evaluation of bridges in the State of 

Iowa for the Iowa Department of Transportation. He concluded that the E. 14th Street Viaduct 

were ineligible; however, that study focused solely on Criterion C (architectural/engineering 

significance) at the statewide level with no evaluation of these properties under Criterion A 

or B (historical significance or association with a significant person) or Criterion C at the local 

level of significance (Fraserdesign 1994:234). 

In 1996, the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) completed a documentation 

study for the Iowa Historic Bridges Recording Project sponsored by the Iowa Department of 

Transportation. The HAER documentation noted that the viaduct was a companion structure 

to the river bridge, with both structures redirecting traffic away from the congested 

downtown area and providing improved access to the state capitol building. These 

statements make a case for significance for the E. 14th Street Bridge and Viaduct structures 

under Criterion C at the local level, with the previous determination of ineligibility at the state 

level by Clayton Fraser left standing.

This resource bisects the APE. Portions of the APE that are visible from the resource are illustrated 

in Figure 18 and Figure 19 and are mostly empty, with scrub grass and trees along or near the 

property line. Lead track to the storage and pullback tracks are proposed beneath and around the

viaduct piers, as well as a salt building and stormwater pond to the east. 
24

This structure has been determined potentially eligible by the Iowa SHPO to the NRHP under Criteria 

C. The undertaking, as proposed, will be visible from this historic property, however, the character

of the project is in keeping with that of the industrial setting and the fundamental viewsheds from

the historic property will remain the same. The undertaking will pose no adverse effect to the

historic property.

Figure 16. 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895), looking northwest.
25

Figure 17: 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895), looking east.

Figure 18. Looking east from the 14th Street Viaduct.
26

Figure 19. Looking west from the 14th Street Viaduct.
27

Site Inventory ID: 77-10700

C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant, 410 SE 18th Street

Year Built: 1929

The history of the meatpacking plant has been documented in previous reports (Des Moines SE 

Connector: SE 12th Street to US 65: Historical/Architectural Intensive Survey, City of Des Moines, Polk 

County, Iowa. Report No. 77-238). A more in-depth accounting of the history of the C. Amend & Sons 

Meat Packing Plant can be found in that report. An excerpt of the Amend’s history and evaluation 

from that report is found below: 

Amend Packing Company was founded in 1869 by German immigrant Conrad Amend. In 

1908. Amend’s sons joined the business and the name changed to C. Amend & Sons. After 

multiple locations, Amend opened the meatpacking plant located on 18th Street in 1929. 

Before the construction of this plant, Des Moines had only one community packing house. An 

addition to the Amend packing plant was constructed in 1933. The company name changed 

to Amend Packing Company in 1958.

As a long-standing, family-run business in Des Moines, the Amend Packing Plant is certainly 

one of the oldest such businesses still operating in Des Moines. The historic plant building is 

considered eligible for the National Register under Criteria A for its historical significance as 

a surviving representative of the type of family run business that once flourished in Des 

Moines. This particular business is also significant for its survival for over 130 years as a 

family run meatpacking business surviving and thriving despite stiff competition from the 

major meat packers like IBP, Monfort, and others. The 1929 plant building was also 

constructed in the heart of the city’s SE side meatpacking district and may be the only 

surviving packing plant to remain in the area. The building itself has been impacted by 

exterior modifications to the point that its integrity is too marginal for eligibility under 

Criterion C (architectural significance) ...”

The resource was described in the 2007 Iowa Site Inventory Form: 

The main plant building was constructed in 1929, with a one-story addition made to the north 

end in 1933. Both the original building and the 1933 addition have concrete foundations and 

tile block or tile brick walls. The addition at the north end was later expanded with a second 

floor that houses the office. A shed-roofed addition off the north end was probably added at 

the same time to house the stairs to the second floor. This second-floor addition appears to 

have been made by the late 1940s. The buildings have since been modified with glass block 

window infill (original windows were hopper-type ventilation windows with fixed upper and 

lower panes) as well as doors and other windows that were completely bricked in. Few if any 

of the original doors and windows remain in place. A third addition for a larger cooler was 

made in the mid to late 20th century to the rear of the original building. In addition, the block 

walls have cracked in the modern era and were poorly repaired from an aesthetic standpoint.
28

A long shed was added to the southwest corner of the building and extending to the west 

along the property line. This shed is steel frame and has corrugated metal sheet roofing. The 

shed is largely open on the sides and was used for cattle pens. This shed replaced an earlier, 

smaller shed used for the same purpose. The current shed appears to have been added in the 

mid to late 20th century. A small one-story frame garage built in the 1940s and still standing 

in 2004 is no longer extant. A 1962 scale house and shop present in 2004 also appears to be 

non-extant.

The resource appears largely the same as it was described in 2007, with one exception. The second 

story office addition has been re-sided with stucco on the primary east façade and vertical wood 

siding on the north façade. There are stucco quoins on the northeast corner, and windows have been 

replaced with 1/1 sash. 

To the northwest (Figure 22) a stormwater pond and temporary laydown area have been proposed, 

with a warehouse and loading dock beyond. The 1.14 acres of laydown area will be a temporary 

staging area for rail and cross ties, additional equipment and track material for the proposed 

construction. Resource 77-09469 (Hartland Co-Op) and Resource 77-10698 are also visible from the 

ROW (Figure 23). 

This structure has been determined potentially eligible by the Iowa SHPO to the NRHP under Criteria 

A, at the local level as a long-running, family operated meatpacking business reminiscent of the area’s 

original industrial setting. The undertaking, as proposed, will be visible from this historic property, 

however, the character of the project is in keeping with that of the industrial setting and the 

fundamental viewsheds from the historic property will remain the same. The undertaking will pose 

no adverse effect to the historic property.
29

Figure 20. C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant (77-10700), looking west.

Figure 21. Amend's Meatpacking Plant (77-10700) additions and alterations.
30

Figure 22. Looking northwest towards the APE (across the street) from 

C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant.

Figure 23. Looking north to the APE (across the street) from C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant

with Heartland Co-Op (77-09469) and Resource 77-10698 visible in the background.
31

Site Inventory ID: 77-12156 

Sun Tool Warehouse, 305 SE 7th Street 

Year Built: 1940

This 1940 welded frame industrial warehouse is a single story, T-shaped building with three (3) bays 

clad in corrugated metal exterior siding and medium pitch gable roofs with no overhanging eaves. 

On the recessed facade are garage loading bays under a pent roof extension with angled metal 

brackets. Centrally located is a single pedestrian entry on recessed façade, accessible by metal a metal 

stairway. An off-center third (3) bay extends west of the other two bays. Partially obscured windows 

are located on the northern bay elevation behind iron security bars. 

Although dates have not been verified, there have been several additions to the original structure. 

The property appraiser notes a remodel date of 1970, suggesting the additions may have been at this 

time. While it is typical of industrial buildings and may be connected to the history of the area, this 

association appears to be general rather than specific and the structure is not architecturally notable. 

A view of the project area is partially screened by trees (Figure 25). Additional railroad tracks are 

proposed for this portion of the project area. These will not impact the current view, as there are 

extant tracks the proposed project is directly in line with the extant character. 

While it is typical of industrial buildings and may be connected to the history of the area, this 

association appears to be general rather than specific and the structure is not architecturally notable. 

This resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP individually or as part of 

a district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed undertaking. 
32

Figure 24.305 SE 7th Street, facing northwest.

Figure 25. Looking northeast from Resource 77-14156, 305 SE 7th Street.
33

Site Inventory ID: 77-12157 

Husmann Warehouse, 309 SE 8th Street 

Year Built: 1965 & 1969 

This single-story welded frame Industrial Vernacular building has a rectangular plan and low pitch 

gable roof with no overhang. The structure has crimped or corrugated metal exterior siding with zero 

window openings. Multiple main entries appear along the south elevation. Two garage loading bays 

are located on the west elevation. Ancillary features include a large structure to the rear and concrete 

parking lot. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad track is located northeast of the structure. 

Additional railroad tracks are proposed for this portion of the APE. These will not impact the current 

view, and as there are extant tracks the proposed project is directly in line with the extant 

characteristics (Figure 27).

While it is typical of industrial buildings and may be connected to the history of the area, this 

association appears to be general rather than specific and the structure is not architecturally notable. 

This resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP individually or as part of a 

district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed undertaking. 

Figure 26. 309 SE 8th Street, facing northwest.
34

Figure 27. Looking northeast from 309 SE 8th Street toward the APE.
35

Site Inventory ID: 77-12158 

Bituminous Materials & Supply, 900 Raccoon Street 

Year Built: 1950 

This concrete block Masonry Vernacular resource is located on a corner parcel, with two (2) buildings 

visible from the ROW and multiple cylindrical storage tanks. The main structure is a concrete block 

building with a flat roof and parapet. The rear elevation addition has a shed extension roof. Windows 

consist of single fixed and paired sliders, all replacements with blind transoms. Multiple entries are 

located on the façade. This resource is located directly south of the project area across the railroad 

tracks (Figure 30).

The ancillary cylindrical storage structures vary in diameter and height and are constructed of metal 

or concrete. An additional ancillary single-story structure is located behind the main structure. It has 

a gable roof with no overhang and corrugated metal exterior siding. A large loading bay is located on 

the south elevation. A third structure is noted on the Property Appraiser website, constructed in 

1987. It is not visible from the ROW. 

While this resource is typical of industrial buildings and may be connected to the history of the area, 

this association appears to be general rather than specific and the structure is not architecturally 

notable. This resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP individually or as 

part of a district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed 

undertaking. 

Figure 28. 900 Raccoon Street, facing northeast.
36

Figure 29. 900 Raccoon Street, facing northwest.

Figure 30. Looking northeast at the APE from 900 Raccoon Street.

Extant rail and the 14th Street Viaduct, Site 77-03895, are visible.
37

Site Inventory ID: 77-07486 

1108 Scott Avenue 

Year Built: 1882 

This 1882 single-story Frame Vernacular residential structure has horizontal wood & vinyl exterior 

siding and a cross-gable roof with overhanging eaves, a partial width shed extension along the façade 

and rear roof kick. Single and grouped 1/1 replacement windows are asymmetrically located along 

the façade and elevation. An off-center partial width recessed façade porch with square wood 

supports is located under the shed extension roof. Due to multiple additions, the structure currently 

has an irregular plan. An ancillary feature consists of a detached garage with gable roof at the rear of 

the structure. 

Due to alterations and additions, this resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP 

individually or as part of a district. This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing on 

the NRHP by SHPO. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed 

undertaking. 

Figure 31. Looking north at 1108 Scott Avenue (77-07468).
38

Figure 32. Looking northwest at 1108 Scott Avenue (77-07468).

Figure 33. Looking northeast at the project location from 1108 Scott Avenue.

The 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895, is pictured in the right side of the image.
39

Site Inventory ID: 77-12159 

City of Des Moines Office and Warehouse, 1300 Scott Avenue 

Year Built: 1967 & 1973 

This multi-story metal clad warehouse and masonry office building has had multiple additions. The 

primary mass is double height with a T-shaped footprint; the projecting mass extends south. At the 

southwest corner is a single-story rectangular mass that appears to serve as an office. All of the 

massing’s together create an irregular footprint with a void in the southeast corner. A portion of the 

parcel is surrounded by a chain link fence, and directly to the east is the elevated SE 14th street 

Viaduct. Paved surfaces are present at each loading bay. 

The primary mass has a low pitch gable roof with a very slight overhang; the projecting mass has a 

shed roof and may be an addition. Siding is corrugated metal, with painted strips on the gable mass 

that simulate columns. A loading bay, set at grade, is located near the southeast corner, and a 

pedestrian entry, also at grade, is located east of the loading bay. There are multiple loading bays of 

various heights located on the west façade. Here, the ground is built up to create a ramp and provide 

grade level, but is dug out for the smallest, southernmost bay with concrete retaining walls. Directly 

south of this is a pedestrian entry with shed roof and metal railing on the adjacent retaining wall. 

There appear to be secondary, unused entries on the north and west facades. 

The office mass has a flat roof and pent roof skirt with asphalt shingles on the south facade. It is a 

masonry vernacular structure, primarily stucco or painted concrete block, with brick at the southeast 

corner. Windows, set in a mostly regular pattern, are two light metal sliding with brick sills. The entry, 

located off center to the west, is metal commercial with sidelights of the same size. This building is 

also set at grade. 

While it is typical of industrial buildings and may be connected to the history of the area, this 

association appears to be general rather than specific and the structure is not architecturally notable. 

this resource lacks significance and does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the 

NRHP individually or as part of a district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected

by the proposed undertaking. 
40

Figure 34. The western portion of 1300 Scott Avenue, looking north.

Figure 35. The eastern portion of 1300 Scott Avenue, facing north.
41

Figure 36. Looking northeast from 1300 Scott Avenue to the APE. 

The 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895, is visible on the right (east).
42

Site Inventory ID: 77-07491 

1401 Scott Avenue 

Year Built: 1901 

This single-story Frame Vernacular structure has horizontal wood and brick exterior siding with 

corner boards. It has a high pitch cross gable roof with overhanging eaves and an off-center partial 

width shed extension over the enclosed porch. The porch is enclosed with grouped 1/1 replacement 

sash windows and includes a brick chimney located off center of the enclosed porch. The front facing 

wing has infill and paired replacement slider windows along with a single panel main entry with a 

single square light behind a metal porch door and hip extension with braces. To the rear is a sidefacing two-car garage under a shed roof. It is directly adjacent to the house, but property appraiser 

notes it as a separate structure. 

This resource is located approximately one block south of the project area but has an unobstructed 

view due to the street layout (Figure 39). Due to alterations, this resource does not appear to meet 

criteria for listing in the NRHP individually or as part of a district. This resource has been 

recommended ineligible for listing on the NRHP by SHPO. Therefore, there are no 

historic properties affected by the proposed undertaking. 

Figure 37. 1401 Scott Avenue (77-0491), looking south. 
43

Figure 38. 1401 Scott Avenue (77-0491), southwest.

Figure 39. Looking north to the project location from 1401 Scott Avenue.

The14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895, is visible.
44

Site Inventory ID: 77-03870 

Vestal House, 601 SE 14th Court 

Year built: 1938 

This single-story Frame Vernacular residence is located on a corner lot with a front facing gable roof 

and horizontal vinyl siding with corner boards. Single and paired 1/1 and 2/2 replacement sash 

windows are located along the façade and elevations in an asymmetric fenestration; windows have 

wood surrounds. An attic window is located at the gable peak along the façade. The main entry is 

located off center flush with the façade behind a metal porch door and an uncovered concrete stoop 

and steps lead to the entry. The structure has a rear addition with a gable roof. A detached shed and 

a detached single car garage is located at the rear of the building. The garage has similar features to 

the main structure. A large concrete and gravel drive is located in front of the garage. 

This resource is located approximately one block south of the project area but has an unobstructed 

view (Figure 42). Due to alterations, this resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the 

NRHP individually or as part of a district. This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing 

on the NRHP by SHPO. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the 

proposed undertaking. 

Figure 40. Looking northeast at 601 SE 14th Court.
45

Figure 41. The detached garage and rear portion of 77-03870.

Figure 42. Looking north at the APE from 601 SE 14th Court.

The 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895, is visible to the left (west).
46

Site Inventory ID: 77-10706 

609 SE 15th Court 

Year built: 1900 

This single-story Frame Vernacular residence has a rectangular plan, a front facing gable with 

overhanging eaves and horizontal wood siding with corner boards. Single replacement 1/1 sash 

windows with vinyl infill are located on the façade and elevations, along with a single bay window. A 

centrally located brick chimney is located at the roof peak. A rear elevation addition under a shed 

roof contains a semi-detached carport extension. Another addition is located at the rear under a hip 

roof. The main entry is located off-center along the façade behind a metal door with a single pane 

light, flush with the façade. An ancillary rectangular storage building is located at the rear of the 

structure. 

Due to alterations, this resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP individually 

or as part of a district. This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing on the NRHP by 

SHPO. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed undertaking. 

Figure 43. 609 SE 15th Street, 77-10706, looking northeast.
47

Figure 44. 609 SE 15th Street, 77-10706, facing southeast.

Figure 45. Looking north from 609 SE 15th Street.
48

Site Inventory ID: 77-10702 

United House & Gate, 500 SE 18th Street 

Year Built: 1941 

This two-story masonry vernacular industrial building has brick, concrete, and concrete masonry 

unit (CMU) exterior with a flat roof and caped parapet. Most windows on the first story have been 

enclosed with CMUs and second story windows are filled with glass block. Polk Co. Property 

appraiser notes the northern mass(es) were added in 1966. The original structure had a shallow Lshaped footprint, constructed of concrete block with brick cladding on the west façade and a portion 

of the interior of the ell. There may have been a second story addition (Figure 46), as there is a 

material change near the center of this original mass. In this original portion, there are multiple 

loading bays on the east façade and a single large loading bay on the west. To the north ofthis building 

is a single-story concrete block flat roof addition, with a curved north façade and large loading bays. 

To the south are multiple additions that lengthen the footprint of the ell. There are two loading bays 

and multiple entries. The foundation is continuous (concrete and brick), although grade is built up in 

some portions to allow grade-level access. 

This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing on the NRHP by SHPO. Due to alterations 

and additions, this resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP individually or 

as part of a district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the

proposed undertaking 

This resource is located south of the project area on the other side of E Martin Luther King Jr. 

Parkway. There is currently some vegetation in or bordering the project area. To the northwest 

(Figure 48) a stormwater pond and laydown area have been proposed, with a warehouse and 

loading dock beyond. The laydown area and warehouse will both be 1-2 stories and will affect the 

specific viewshed in which they are constructed, but the fundamental views from the resource will 

remain the same. The stormwater pond and laydown area will be set at grade and not impact views. 

It is unknown if the vegetation will remain for screening purposes. 
49

Figure 46. Looking northwest at 500 SE 18th Street. Note the change of material 

at center portion of the primary mass.

Figure 47. Looking northeast at 500 SE 18th Street.
50

Figure 48. Looking northwest from 500 SE 18th Street toward the APE.
51

Site Inventory ID: 77-10698 

Wolverine World Wide, 302 SE 18th Street 

Year Built: 1958 

This single-story industrial property contains a large warehouse building and manufactured home. 

The industrial warehouse building has a metal exterior siding and a mix of gable and shed roof lines 

with no overhanging eaves. Some openings appear to be boarded and visible windows are vertical 

ribbon s with fixed single pane lights. No entry location is evident from the ROW. The manufactured 

office building has a flat roof, vertical plank siding, 6/6 vinyl sash windows and a metal hollow core 

entry door. No clear construction date is provided on Property Appraisers website. 

This resource is located directly east of the project area. The current proposal does not contain any 

plans to demolish or alter the existing building. Directly north of the resource, additional railroad 

tracks are proposed, and to the west a laydown area and stormwater pond. The stormwater pond 

and laydown area will be set at grade and not impact views. The railroad tracks will not impact the 

current view, and as there are existing tracks the proposed project is directly in line with the extant 

character. There is an existing pond in the approximate location of the stormwater pond on the 

drawings. Details do not specify if the pond will be retained or replaced, but the effect on the view is 

expected to be the same. 

Due to alterations and additions, this resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the NRHP 

individually or as part of a district. This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing on 

the NRHP by SHPO. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the proposed 

undertaking. 
52

Figure 49. Looking south at 302 SE 18th Street.

Figure 50. Looking southeast at 302 SE 18th Street.
53

Figure 51. Manufactured home/office located at the rear of the parcel.

Figure 52. Looking north from 302 SE 18th Street toward the project area.
54

Site Inventory ID: 77-09469 

Heartland Co-Op, 118 SE 18th Street 

Year Built: 1930 

This resource is a series of attached concrete grain silos, two and three wide, with an attached 

elevator and additional detached buildings, including a scale house, shop, utility building, and 

attendant’s booth. Attached to the sides are various machinery parts, mostly large metal pipes. A 

small shed roof overhang is located at the base of the tower. On the north façade is an off center shed 

metal roof mass (enclosed) with two large loading bays. The foundation, walls, and roofs are poured 

concrete. The railroad track, previously the Wabash Railroad and now Norfolk Southern Railroad, is 

directly south of the building. 

The project area is located south and west of this property (Figure 55). In agreement with an 

evaluation completed in 2000 in association with a proposed cell tower project (R&C No. 

000877193), “the facility does not appear to have any unusual characteristics and looks like every 

other grain elevator across Iowa.” This resource does not appear to meet criteria for listing in the 

NRHP individually or as part of a district. This resource has been recommended ineligible for listing 

on the NRHP by SHPO. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by the 

proposed undertaking. 

Figure 53. 118 SE 18th Street, 77-09469 facing northeast.
55

Figure 54. Looking north at 118 SE 18th Street.

Figure 55. Looking southwest at the APE from 118 SE 18th Street.
56

Site Inventory ID: 77-12160

Iowa Interstate Railroad

Year Built: estimated mid-1800s

The railroad tracks closest to the project location are owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad. This 

line was originally the Wabash Railroad (WR). The WR served Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, 

Missouri and the provenance of Ontario. It began as the Toledo and Wabash Railroad in 1858, 

although the first rail to use ‘Wabash” solely in their name was the Wabash Railway in 1877. The 

earliest predecessor of the railway was the Northern Cross Railroad, the first railroad in Illinois 

(Paxson 1912). WR merged with the Norfolk & Western Railway (NWR) in 1964, to then be absorbed 

when NWR became Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982.

The Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) was formed in 1984 in partnership with Hartland Rail. IAIS 

operated the recently acquired 553 miles of track formally owned by Rock Island Railroad. In 1988, 

Iowa Southern Railroad (ISR) took over ownership of sixty-one miles of the WR in Iowa. Iowa 

Interstate purchased the rail in 2006. 

Figure 56. Wabash System Map, nd. 

Courtesy of the Wabash Railroad Historical Society. 

The IAIS railway runs along the northern portion of the APE. Rail lines through and around the APE 

have shaped the character of the neighborhood. The information found within the project scope did 

not result in information that would suggest this railway is eligible for listing in the NRHP, either as 

an individual listing or as part of a district. Therefore, there are no historic properties affected by 

the proposed undertaking. 
57

Figure 57. 77-10698 railway facing southeast and the 14th Street Viaduct, 77-03895. 

The Norfolk Southern Railroad is the additional track to the far right of the image.

Figure 58. Site 77-12160 facing east towards Site 77-09469. 

The Norfolk Southern Railway is located at the far left of the image.
58

Figure 59. Facing south from Site 77-12160 towards the project area and 77-03895.
59

RESULTS & ANALYSIS

Of the fourteen (14) resources documented within the APE as a result of this survey, only two (2) 

have been recommended potentially eligible to the NRHP (Table 2). Background research and 

architectural field survey resulted in the identification, recordation and evaluation of fourteen (14), 

including nine (9) previously recorded resources within the APE. Two (2) of the resources recorded 

are potentially eligible for listing in the NRHP, both the C. Amend & Sons Meatpacking Plant (77-

10700) and 14th Street Viaduct (77-03895).

The APE is located in an area that has been a mix of industrial and working-class residential uses 

since the mid-1800s. The resources range in date from 1882 to 1973, with no distinct concentration 

in any particular era. Most of the properties are industrial in use, although some of the oldest 

structures are simple vernacular residences. This is reflective of the nature of the area. 

Table 2. Previously and Newly recorded Historic Structures within the APE.

Site Inventory 

No.

Name Property 

Address

Year Built Determination 

of Eligibility 

Consultant 

Eligibility 

Recommendation

77-03895 14th Street 

Viaduct

SR 69, between 

Scott Avenue 

and Vine Street

1936 Recommended 

Eligible

Eligible

77-10700 C. Amend & Sons 

Meatpacking 

Plant

410 SE 18th

Street

1929 Recommended 

Eligible

Eligible

77-12156* Sun Tool 

Warehouse

305 SE 7th

Street

1940 Unknown Not Eligible

77-12157* Husmann 

Warehouse

309 SE 8th

Street

1965 & 

1969

Unknown Not Eligible

77-12158* Bituminous 

Materials & 

Supply

900 Raccoon 

Street

1950 & 

1973

Unknown Not Eligible

77-07486 - 1108 Scott 

Avenue

1882 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-12159* City of Des 

Moines Office & 

Warehouse

1300 Scott 

Avenue

1967 & 

1973

Unknown Not Eligible

77-07491 - 1401 Scott 

Avenue

1901 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-03870 Vestal House 601 SE 14th

Court

1938 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-10706 - 609 SE 15th

Court

1900 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-10702 United House & 

Gate

500 SE 18th

Street

1941 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-10698 Wolverine 

Worldwide

302 SE 18th

Street

1958 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible
60

77-09469 Heartland Co-Op 118 SE 18th

Street

1930 Recommended 

Not Eligible

Not Eligible

77-12160* Iowa Interstate 

Railroad

Northern APE 

boundary

Est. mid1800sUnknown Not Eligible

*Newly recorded resources within the APE.

The consultant acknowledges that the potential for impacts on historic properties due to 

construction related activities or vibrations is relative and should be considered on a case by case 

basis. Settling of adjacent structures with historic or unstable foundations or other impacts due to 

vibrations from construction related activity is possible but not likely. Regardless, the project 

engineer should consider the necessity for a pre and post-construction crack survey and vibration 

monitoring with limits not to exceed a peak particle velocity (PPV) of 0.5 in/sec.

The two (2) historic properties found within the APE, the 14th Street Viaduct (77-03896) and C. 

Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant (77-10700), will not be demolished, altered, or removed as a result 

of the construction of the transload facility. It is the opinion of the consultant that the project, as 

proposed, will have no adverse effect on the historic properties within the APE. 
61

CONCLUSION 

In March 2020, ESI conducted a desktop analysis of the proposed location for the development of a 

railroad transload facility in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The undertaking, led by the FRA, involves 

the construction of a transload facility (including an office/warehouse, a transloading pad, proposed 

bulk minerals building, stormwater detention ponds, an outdoor storage area, and 12,650 feet of 

proposed railroad track) and is funded by a DOT Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development 

Grant. The site covers approximately forty acres and the purpose of the undertaking is to improve 

the overall freight capacity and railroad options in the Des Moines metropolitan area; develop rail 

centric transportation options for existing businesses; to expand extant transportation options to 

attract new industries to the region; and to support economic development in Central Iowa.

The goal of this investigation was to locate historic properties within the APE (the immediate 

viewshed of the project location site, including the project location and adjacent parcels) to evaluate 

their significance for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and to assess any 

potential impact the undertaking may have on those resources, as mandated by federal laws and 

guidelines. To meet these objectives and supplement both the Phase IA Cultural Resource Survey of 

the Des Moines Industrial Project and the Cultural Resource Desktop Assessment, a Historic Structures 

survey and report was determined necessary. 

A review of the adjacent parcels coupled with the Polk County Assessor; historic topographical maps; 

aerial photographs; Sanborn Maps of Des Moines, Iowa; and previous surveys identified fourteen 

(14) historic resources that were documented and assessed during this project. Of these, two (2) have 

been recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP by SHPO, the 14th Street Viaduct and C. Amend 

& Sons Meat Packing Plant; seven (7) have been recommended potentially ineligible for the NRHP; 

and the balance (five resources) have not been previously recorded. It is the consultant’s opinion that 

the five newly recorded resources (305 SE 7th Street, 309 SE 8th Street, 900 Raccoon Street, 1300 

Scott Avenue, and the Iowa Interstate Railroad) do not appear to be eligible for the NRHP. These 

resources were evaluated according to the criteria laid out by the National Park Service.

It is the consultant’s opinion that the project as proposed will be visible from two (2) historic 

properties within the APE. However, the character of the project is in keeping with that of the 

industrial setting, and the fundamental viewsheds from the historic properties will remain the same. 

It is the consultant’s opinion that the project, as proposed, will have no adverse effect on the historic 

properties.
62

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burns, James B. Railroad Mergers and the Language of Unification. Greenwood Publishing Group, 

1998.

Iowa Department of Transportation letter to Ralph Christian at Department of Cultural Affairs, 

State Historical Society of Iowa, January 14, 2008. 

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Office. Iowa Site Inventory form 77-

10700, 2007.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Aerial maps. 1930, 1950, 1960, 1970. 

https://programs.iowadnr.gov/maps//aerials/

Jennings, Barton. Iowa Interstate Railroad: History Through the Miles. TechScribes. 2017.

Library of Congress Geography and Map Division. “Map of Polk County, Iowa, 1895.” Des Moines: 

Iowa Engraving Company, publishers., 1895. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012587709/

Long, Barbara Beving. Cultural Resources of the CBD Loop Arterial Project Area History and 

Architecture. Prepared for the City of Des Moines, Iowa. Prepared by Brice, Petrides & 

Associates, Inc., Waterloo, Iowa. 1982.

“Map of Polk County, Iowa, 1872.” Pub. George A. McVicker.

“Map of Polk County, Iowa, 1895.” Pub. Iowa Engraving Company, Des Moines.

Myers, Melissa. “At last, Chesterfgield neighborhood group is the real deal.” Des Moines Register, 17 

September 1997.

Paxson, Frederic L. “The Railroads of the ‘Old Northwest’ Before the Civil War.” Reprinted from 

Volume XVII, Part 1, of the Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters.

Issues October 1912. Accessed 29 March 2020. 

http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/abonw.Html

“Plat Book of Polk County, Iowa, 1930.” Pub. W.W. Hixon & Co. Courtesy of University of Iowa 

Libraries. http://128.255.22.135/cdm/ref/collection/hixson/id/1446

Polk County Assessor. Property search. Accessed March 26, 2020. 

http://web.assess.co.polk.ia.us/cgi-bin/web/tt/infoqry.cgi?tt=home/index
63

Rogers, Leah D. Des Moines SE Connector SW 2nd Street to SE 15th Street: Historical/Architectural 

Intensive Survey, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Tallgrass Historians, LLC., Iowa City, 

Iowa. 2007.

Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, Des Moines. 1920, 1920-1950. 

“The History of IAIS,” Iowa IAIS Interstate. n.d. Accessed March 27, 2020. 

https://iaisrr.com/railroad/history-of-iais/

USGS maps. Des Moines, Iowa quadrangle. 1905, 1956.

Wabash Railroad Historical Society. Wabash System Map. http://www.wabashrhs.org/
1 

U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

of Transportation Washington, DC 20590

Federal Railroad 

Administration

April 24, 2020 

Heather Gibb

State Historic Preservation Office of Iowa

600 East Locust Street

Des Moines, Iowa 50319 

Re: Des Moines Transloading Facility

 200 SE 15th Street, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa 

 Initiation of Section 106 Consultation and Finding of No Adverse Effect 

Dear Ms. Heather Gibb: 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected the Des Moines Industrial – Transload 

Center to receive grant funding for the construction of a multi-modal transloading facility 

including trackage, docks, and warehousing within the Des Moines Metropolitan Area. 

Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing 

regulations (36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 800) “Protection of Historic Properties” 

(Section 106), this letter is being transmitted to initiate the Section 106 consultation process for 

the undertaking and to seek concurrence from your office with FRA’s findings. 

FRA, in coordination with Des Moines Industrial, LLC., is preparing an Environmental 

Assessment for the Project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

and is coordinating the NEPA process with consultation pursuant to Section 106. 

Project Background 

The concept of a transload facility, where cargo is delivered and transferred between rail and 

trucks, was developed over a decade of study on goods movement in Central Iowa. Several 

studies have concluded that a market exists in Des Moines to support the development of a 

transload facility.

In July 2018, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO) submitted 

an INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) Grant Application to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT) seeking a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development 

(BUILD) Grant for this project. The application was selected for award of Federal funds in 

November 2018. In April 2019, Des Moines Industrial was formed to design, construct, operate 

and own the transload facility.
2 

Current Undertaking 

FRA’s current undertaking involves the construction of a transloading facility north of Martin 

Luther King Parkway in the area of SE 14th Street. The site covers approximately 40-acres and is 

located in the SE 1⁄4 of Section 3 and the SW 1⁄4 of Section 2, Township 78 North, Range 24 West 

in Des Moines, Iowa. The proposed project involves the construction of a railroad transload 

facility, which includes an office/warehouse, a transloading pad, proposed bulk materials 

building, stormwater detention ponds, and an outdoor storage area. 

The purpose of the project is to improve the overall freight capacity and railroad options in the 

Des Moines metropolitan area; develop rail centric transportation options for existing businesses; 

expand existing transportation options to attract new industries to the region; and support 

economic development in Central Iowa. 

Area of Potential Effects 

As defined in National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) § 800.16(d), the Area of Potential 

Effects (APE) means “the geographic area or areas within which an undertaking may directly or 

indirectly cause alteration in the character of use of historic properties, if such properties exist. 

The area of potential effects is influenced by the scale and nature of the undertaking and may be 

different for different kinds of effects caused by the undertaking.” 

The APE for archaeology was the limits of disturbance (LOD) for the project, while the APE for 

the built environment was the immediate viewshed of the project site location. The Project 

boundary and the APE are shown on Exhibit 1. 

Identification and Evaluation of Historic Properties 

Archaeology 

A records search request was submitted to the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) for 

information regarding previously identified archaeological sites within or near the proposed 

project area (Iowa Site File Search No. 2020017, August 5, 2019). The records search reported 

that no archaeological sites have been previously recorded within the APE or within 328 feet 

(100 Meters) of the APE. The site file search did note that 45 archaeological sites have been 

identified within one mile of the APE. 

Numerous archaeological sites are known to be in the general vicinity, which suggested there 

was a high level of archaeological potential within the APE. This area is within a former river 

channel of the Des Moines River, and exhibits complex depositional conditions. Because of 

these factors, a desktop assessment was not sufficient to make a recommendation on the 

possibility of cultural resources being present within the project area. Therefore, a 

geoarchaeological survey was recommended, which was used to guide a targeted Phase I 

archaeological survey of the proposed project area. A copy of the Archaeology Cultural 

Resources Desktop Assessment is enclosed. 
3 

A Geoarchaeological Study was conducted on September 26, 2019. A total of 12 cores were 

extracted and examined, which found that the geomorphological conditions and landforms 

identified within the limits of disturbance (LOD) for the project would not be conducive to long 

term human settlement or occupation of the project area. A copy of the Geoarchaeological Study 

can be found within the enclosed Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey described below. 

A Desktop Survey was finalized on November 7, 2019. No cultural resources have been 

previously recorded within the LOD, though it indicated that the western portion of the APE 

potentially contained resources related to a Sauk and Meskwaki Camp from 1841 (HILD 1108). 

A Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey was finalized on November 8, 2019. The survey found 

evidence of extensive ground disturbances throughout the LOD. Such disturbances included the 

continued use of the project area by modern railroads; prior construction and demolition of 

structures; utility and rainwater control infrastructure construction and expansions; and a large 

junkyard, which occupied the eastern half of the project area. The lack of integrity seen at the 

ground surface was determined to extend into subsurface conditions by the geoarchaeological 

report, which found extensive fill deposits overlying the natural soils within the project area. 

This report also found that conditions within the LOD, both in the prehistoric and historical 

periods, would not have been conducive to human occupation, as the landscape was primarily 

wetlands or marsh. The disturbances documented in both the Phase IA and geoarchaeological 

examination of the LOD suggest that it is unlikely for intact cultural deposits to be present which 

can be encountered or identified through standard survey methodologies. If extant 

archaeological resources are present, they are deeply buried and only accessible through 

extensive mechanical excavation of the fill soils within the LOD. As such, a determination of no 

historic properties affected is recommended for archaeology in the APE. A copy of the Phase IA 

Cultural Resources Survey is enclosed. 

Built Environment 

An informal search of the historical structural inventory maintained by the State Historic 

Preservation Office was conducted by the Iowa SHPO records manager for information 

regarding previously recorded historic properties within or near the project area. This inventory 

reported information on hundreds of previously-recorded historic properties within one mile of 

the project area but did not identify historic properties within the APE. 

In March 2020, Environmental Services Inc., a Terracon Company (ESI) conducted a Historic 

Structures Survey of the APE. The APE is located east of the Des Moines and Raccoon River 

confluences, south of Interstate 235 and east of Highway 69/E 14th Street. The area was 

historically known as “Southeast Bottoms” and Chesterfield. 

The Historic Structures Survey consisted of a pedestrian survey and historic architectural 

analysis of all buildings fifty years or older within the APE. Other research included an 

examination of the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps, available plat maps, historical aerials 

and United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, as well as recent past and 

current street-view images. 
4 

The survey identified fourteen historic resources within the APE for this undertaking. Nine of 

the properties have previous recommendations from SHPO; FRA has agreed with those previous 

recommendations after reviewing the resources, as detailed in the report. For the remaining five 

properties that were not previously recorded, FRA has made determinations of eligibility for 

inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 

Detailed descriptions of all fourteen properties are included in the Historic Structures Report and 

Iowa Site Inventory Forms which are included with this consultation letter. The table below 

summarizes the properties and FRA’s determinations of eligibility. 

Table 1. Potential Historic Properties within the APE 

Site 

Inventory

No. 

Property 

Name 

Property 

Address

Year 

Built

Previous 

Recordation

FRA 

Determination 

of Eligibility

77-03870 Vestal 

House 

601 SE 14th 

Court 

1938 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-03895 14th Street 

Viaduct

SR 69, 

between Scott 

Avenue and 

Vine Street

1936 Yes - SHPO 

Recommended 

Eligible

Eligible

77-07486 House 1108 Scott 

Avenue 

1882 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-07491 House 1401 Scott 

Avenue 

1901 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-09469 Heartland 

Co-Op 

118 SE 18th 

Street 

1930 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-10698 Wolverine 

World Wide 

302 SE 18th 

Street 

1958 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible

Ineligible

77-10700 C. Amend 

& Sons 

Meat 

Packing 

Plant 

410 SE 18th 

Street 

1929 Yes - SHPO 

Recommended 

Eligible

Eligible

77-10702 United 

House & 

Gate

500 SE 18th 

Street 

1941 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-10706 House 609 SE 15th 

Court 

1900 Yes – SHPO 

Recommended 

Ineligible 

Ineligible

77-

12156* 

Sun Tool 

Warehouse 

305 SE 7th 

Street

1940 No Ineligible
5 

77-

12157*

Husmann 

Warehouse

09 SE 8th 

Street

1965 &

1969

No Ineligible

77-

12158* 

Bituminous 

Materials & 

Supply

900 Raccoon 

Street 

1950 &

1973 

No Ineligible

77-

12159* 

City of Des 

Moines 

Office & 

Warehouse

1300 Scott 

Avenue 

1967 &

1973 

No Ineligible

77-

12160* 

Iowa 

Interstate 

Railroad

Northern APE

boundary 

Estimated 

mid-1800 

No Ineligible

*Newly recorded resources within the APE.

Site Inventory ID 77-12160 is for the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), which was established in 

the mid-nineteenth century. The IAIS is located along the northern part of the APE. A full 

evaluation of the railroad was outside the scope of this project. The Historic Structures Report 

states that there was no information found to suggest that IAIS is eligible for the NRHP, either 

individually or as contributing to a district. Even if the IAIS were to be determined eligible for 

the NRHP, the proposed undertaking would not impact any aspects of integrity of the railroad. 

The proposed undertaking will be visible from two historic properties within the APE: the 14th

Street Viaduct and the C. Amend & Sons Meat Packing Plant. However, the purpose of the 

project is to construct a new industrial facility within an area historically used for industrial 

activity, and therefore the overall character of the area and the viewsheds will remain unchanged. 

As such, FRA has determined that no historic properties will be adversely affected. A copy of 

the Historic Structures Survey is enclosed. 

Consulting Parties 

FRA has identified the following federally-recognized Tribes who may have interest in the 

project: 

Apache Tribe of Oklahoma 

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma 

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin 

Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska 

Sac & Fox Nation, Oklahoma 

Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa 

Concurrent with this letter, FRA is sending consultation letters to these Tribes. 

FRA has also identified the following organizations who may have an interest in this project: 

City of Des Moines 

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization 

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department 

Downtown Neighborhood Association 
6 

These parties that may be interested in the proposed undertaking and FRA's determination of 

effect. They are copied on this letter to serve as their notification of the project. Should any of 

the parties have concerns about the undertaking and its potential effects to historic properties, 

FRA will continue to consult with the parties and SHPO to resolve those issues prior to 

implementing the undertaking. 

Determination of Effect 

Given the information described above, FRA has determined that the proposed undertaking 

results in No Adverse Effect. FRA respectfully requests your concurrence with this 

determination. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact FRA’s Environmental 

Protection Specialist for this project, Amanda Ciampolillo at either 617.494.2173 or 

amanda.ciampolillo@dot.gov. 

Sincerely, 

Katherine Zeringue 

Federal Preservation Officer 

Environment and Project Engineering Division 

Office of Railroad Policy and Development 

Federal Railroad Administration 

cc: Des Moines Industrial, LLC 

Amanda Ciampolillo, FRA 

City of Des Moines

 Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization 

 Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department

 Downtown Neighborhood Association 

 Enclosures: 

Exhibit 1: APE Map 

Archaeology Cultural Resources Desktop Assessment 

Phase IA Cultural Resources Survey 

Historic Structures Report 
E9thSt

Workforce

Building

StateCapitol

CourtAve

SE

7thSt

ScottAve

SE6thSt

gJrPkwy

amondOil

Company

DesMoines

RiverOpen

Space

HistoricEast

Village

E

1

6thSt

E17thSt

LoganAve

DeanAve

E18thSt

EGran

DesMoinesSt

E1

2thSt

EWalnutSt

E

15th

St

DeanAv

CapitalView

Elementary

School

Grimes

Building

LucasBuilding

MercyEast

VillageFamily

Practice

OlaBabcock

Building

CapitolEast

DesMoinesRiver

69

69

ScottAve

SE

9th

St

EVineSt

EMa

S

E1

0th

SE8thSt

St

ShawSt

S

E14thCt

SE15thSt

E15thSt

A

stor

St

E18thSt SE1

8thSt

EWalnutSt

RailroadAve

CourtAve

HarrietSt

Johnson

Ct

MaurySt

SE14t MaurySt hSt E14thSt

ECourtAve

EMartinLutherKingJrPkwy

PineRidgeReal

ESTLLC

Norfol

Southern

S&P

Properties

DarlingNa

LLC

Bituminouis

Material&

Supply,LP

IowaState

Capitol

RichardAClark

Municipal

ServiceCenter

JudicialBranch

Building

Hoover

Building

CityofDes

MoinesFacility

Building

Southeast

WaterTrough

CrivaroPark

77-12156

77-12157

77-12158

77-07486

77-12159

77-07491

77-03870

77-10706

77-10702

77-10698

77-09469

77-10700

77-03895

77-12160

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE,

Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Path: C:\Users\aajdini\OneDrive - Terracon Consultants Inc\Desktop\Home Projects\HK207101_Proposed_Railroad_Transload_Facility\Maps\HK207101_Proposed_Railroad_Transload_Facility\HK207101_Proposed_Railroad_Transload_Facility.aprx Date: 4/1/2020 12:01 PM

E

Polk County, Iowa

Historic Structures Survey

Proposed Railroad Transload Facility

HK207101

Apr 2020

AA

A2

JRN

7220 FINANCIAL WAY, SUITE 100 PDJ

PH. (904) 470-2200

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256

FAX (904) 470-2112

Disclaimer: The information depicted on this figure is for conceptual purposes only, serves to aid a

licensed engineer or geologist in rendering professional services, and is subject to review and

approval by appropriate regulatory agencies.

Project No.

Date

Drawn By

Checked By

Approved By

Figure No.

0 500 1,000

Feet

Source(s): ESRI World Imagery Basemap

Project Boundary

APE

Historic Structures

Site Plan

Exhibit 1