Final Report: Phase I Archaeological Survey, Management Units 7,8,9,10,11,12 and Main Base, Avon Park Air Force Range, Avon Park, Florida
Creators: name: J. Sanderson Stevens
name: Hathaway, Susan
Publisher: name: Avon Park Air Force Range
Year: 2001
Subjects: Kissimmee River
Arbuckle Creek
Lake Arbuckle
Arbuckle Marsh
Kissimmee Marsh
Early Archaic
Belle Glade Culture
Archaic
Historic
Euroamerican
8HG26
8HG1054
Bill's Bay West
8HG1062
8HG1063
The Belle Glade Banks Site
8HG1057
The Eagle-Eye Auger Site
8HG1058
The Thomas Homestead
The Francis Site
8HG1059
The Old Government Railroad Site
8HG1064
The Squadron Site
8PO6470
The Orange Hammock West Site
8HG1048
The Stricken Pine Site
8HG1049
The Eagle's Nest Landing Site
8HG1050
The Bill's Bay Northeast Site
8HG1051
The Pinetree South Site
8HG1052
The Brumoso Site
8HG1053
The Willy Site
8HG1055
The Alpha East Site
8HG1056
The No Name Slough Site
8HG1060
The Jones Jr. Site
8HG1061
The Orange Hammock Divide
The Sloughstead Site
Water-Related
Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features
Archaeological Feature
Artifact Scatter
Road, Trail, and Related Structures or Features
Isolated Artifact
Railroad
Wood
Ceramic
Chipped Stone
Glass
Building Materials
Metal
Mineral
Environment Research
Systematic Survey

description: Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. (Parsons) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of ca.2,811 acres during the winter of 2001. Johnna Thackston Technical Project Manager--TPM) and Peg Margosian (Avon Park AFR GIS Specialist) selected areas for the survey. The purpose of the survey is to assist A von Park Air force Range in their completion with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. as amended. The survey, which included portions of Management Units 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and Main Base, included 549 acres of high probability areas and 2, 262 acres of medium probability areas. Shovel test pits (STPs) measured 50 em ( 1.6 f\) in diameter and were excavated to a depth of 1-m (3.3-f\) where possible. STPs were excavated on a staggered 25-meter grid in high probability areas and 50 meter grid in medium probability areas. Soil matrices were screened through quarter-inch-mesh hardware cloth. Stratigraphic profiles and soil data were recorded on standard STP forms. In addition to the systematic excavation of STPs, Parsons also conducted a pedestrian survey in high probability areas (especially along Arbuckle Creek). A shoreline survey of Arbuckle Creek was also initiated at the request of the TPM. The shoreline survey was conducted from canoes for the purpose of locating the remains of prehistoric/historic aboriginal canoes. The 2001 survey resulted in the  identification of 18 new sites, and the recovery of supplemental data for one previously recorded site (8HG26). Of these, only four sites (two prehistoric and two historical sites) were recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Four sites were recorded in high probability areas, including three prehistoric sites and one historical site (the old government railroad bridge piers and associated railroad bed). The latter is actually contained in both high and medium probability areas. Survey in the medium probability areas resulted in the identification of 14 new sites, including 10 prehistoric sites, 3 historical sites, and 1 multi-component site. In addition, supplemental data was collected regarding Site 8HG26, a multi-component site located along Orange Hammock Trail. Notable prehistoric sites included a small but dense scatter of Belle Glade Plain ceramics (Site 8HG I 057) along the shoreline of Arbuckle Creek; a Contact period (AD 1500) dugout canoe (Site 8HG10S8) also along 1he shoreline of Arbuckle Creek; and an Early Archaic campsite (Site 8HG I 054) located on the eastern slope of Bombing Range Ridge overlooking Bill's Bay. Site 8HG1058 and site 8HG1054 are recommended potentially eligible to the NRHP. All the ceramic sherds associated with Site 8HG1057 were collected in the field and therefore, it is believed that the site location no longer contains potentially significant information. Due to repeated military marneuvers, testing could not be completed at the Orange Hammock Divide site (8HG1062), The NRHP status of this site has not been fully assessed and additional data is required. The 11 remaining prehistoric sites (9 prehistoric and 2 multi -component sites) do not contain significant information and therefore these sites are considered not eligible to the NRHP. Historical components were identified at six sites. Two of these sites are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. The aforementioned government railroad bed (8HG1064) is considered important because of its association with the early development of Avon Park and Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) during World War II. The resource not only retains integrity, but it also has tremendous potential for documentary research and oral history on the construction, function, and use of the railroad during the initial years of the installation. The other historical site recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP is Site 8HG1063. The site, which is visible on the 1943 and 1945 aerials of APAFR, produced a variety of domestic. and architectural artifacts that date to the first part of the twentieth century. The other four historical components represent insignificant artifact scatters that date to the twentieth century. These historical scatters do not contain significant information, and therefor are recommended not eligible to the NRHP.