An Intensive Cultural Resources Survey For Goforth Road Between IH-35 And Kyle Parkway, Kyle, Hays County, Texas

Abstract

In December 2014, Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, Inc. (Client) contracted with Raba Kistner Environmental, Inc. (RKEI) to perform an intensive cultural resources survey along Goforth Road between Interstate Highway (IH)-35 and Kyle Parkway for the expansion of the Right-Of-Way (ROW) and the installation of storm sewer inlets, manholes and one bridge in Kyle, Hays County, Texas. The purpose of this survey was to determine whether cultural resources were located within the Area of Potential Effect (APE), and if feasible, assess their significance and eligibility for designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) and for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The project was sponsored by the City of Kyle and the owner of the project is the City of Kyle owns the road and its ROW. Since the ROW is owned by a political subdivision of the state, the project falls under the Antiquities Code of Texas as administered by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The field work was carried out between December 29-30, 2014 under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit No. 7117 issued to Dr. Steve A. Tomka, who served as Principal Investigator. Mark Luzmoor was the Project Archaeologist and Kristi Nichols and Chris Murray assisted during the field work. Background research revealed that no previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the boundary of the APE. However, there are two archaeology sites, seven historical markers and four National Register Properties, within a one mile radius but outside of the APE. A total of 16 shovel tests (STs) were excavated within the APE. Surface visibility was around 10% throughout the APE. Due to extensive disturbances of the banks of Plum Creek, no backhoe trenches were excavated during the project. No artifacts were encountered in any shovel test or on surface during the pedestrian survey. Since no cultural deposits were encountered, RKEI recommends no further archaeological work within the project boundaries. All project related documents are permanently housed at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.