Shot Tower Archeological Survey MOATHE CITY OF
DuB E
~-~-~
MEMORANDUM
January 31, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement -Shot Tower Archeological Investigation
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens recommends City Council approval of the
Memorandum of Agreement for the Shot Tower Archeological Investigation between the
National Parks Services, State Historical Society of Iowa and the City of Dubuque, to
allow for the continued excavation of the interior of the Shot Tower.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
!~ ~~Q2 r' `"G
~,
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
THE CITY OF M E M O R A N D U M
DUB E
January 30, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager s~~~
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement -- Shot Tower Archeological
Investigation
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to transmit the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for
the Shot Tower Archeological Investigation for City Council review and approval.
The agreement is between the National Parks Service (NPS), State Historical
Society of Iowa (SHSI}, and the City of Dubuque. The MOA and resolution are
enclosed.
DISCUSSION
The City has committed $200,000 for the rehabilitation and interpretation of the Shot
Tower as part of the Americas River project at the Port of Dubuque. In 2005, the
City received a $15,500 Historic Resource Development Program grant from the
SHSI for the archeological survey required by the NPS. During the archeological
investigation, the archeologist and Loras College students uncovered the Shot
Tower well. City staff and our consultants met to discuss the findings and agreed the
well should be exposed and incorporated into the Shot Tower design and
experience. Consultation with the NPS and SHSI has determined that the City
should enter into a MOA for the continued excavation of the interior of the Shot
Tower.
The MOA requires that in the event that archeological resources are discovered
during construction activities within the construction site, construction work will be
halted, the parties involved in the MOA will be notified, and the City shall submit a
plan for the avoidance, protection, or recovery of the archeological resources.
RECOMMENDATION
City Planning Staff, Legal Staff and consultants have reviewed the MOA and
recommend approval.
I recommend that the City Council approve the enclosed resolution and authorize
the Mayor to sign the enclosed MOA to allow for the continued excavation of the
interior of the Shot Tower.
Enclosures
Prepared by: Laura Carstens, City Planner Address: City Hall. 50 W. 13"' St. Telephone: 589-4210
RESOLUTION NO. 55-07
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA FOR
THE SHOT TOWER ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Whereas, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded the City of Dubuque a $295,000
Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant for rehabilitation and interpretation of the Shot Tower,
and as part of the SAT grant agreement the City is required to conduct an archeological
investigation of the historic Shot Tower; and
Whereas, the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) has awarded a $15,500 Historic
Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant to the City of Dubuque for an archeological
investigation of the Shot Tower; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque, NPS, and SHSI have determined that in the event that the
archeological resources are discovered during construction activities as part of the rehabilitation
and interpretation of the Shot Tower, a Memorandum of Agreement between the City, NPS and
SHSI for the Shot Tower archeological investigation should be executed.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Memorandum of Agreement between the City, NPS and SHSI for the
Shot Tower archeological investigation is hereby approved.
Section 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign and submit the MOA on behalf of
the City of Dubuque.
Passed, approved and adopted this 5th day of February, 2007.
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider
City Clerk
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
AMONG THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE,
THE IOWA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE,
THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA,
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, AND THE
ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
REGARDING SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT FOR
THE GEORGE W. ROGERS SHOT TOWER, DUBUQUE, IOWA
WHEREAS the National Park Service (NPS) provides assistance to non-Federal entities through the Save
America's Treasures grant-in-aid program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque (City) has been awarded a Historic Sites Preservation grant (grant
number HSPG 04-007) and a Historic Resource Development Program grant (grant number HRDP #06-
022) by the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) and a Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant (grant
number 19-04-ML-0110) from the National Park Service (NPS) to fund archeological investigations and a
program of repairs, restoration, and preservation activities to the George W. Rogers Shot Tower (Shot
Tower), a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) and which is
under consideration for possible designation as a National Historic Landmark; and
WHEREAS, while the NPS remains legally responsible for all consultations conducted under the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and 36 CFR 800, regulations implementing Section 106 of
NHPA, the NPS has delegated the obligation to conduct consultation to the recipient of NPS assistance in
accordance with 36 CFR 800.2(c)(4); and
WHEREAS, as a recipient of state and federal funds, the City will comply with the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings; the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties; the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Archeological Documentation; the Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in Iowa
(1999) and all other applicable Federal laws and regulations regarding preservation and historical
properties, and
WHEREAS, the NPS, SHSI and City have consulted with the Iowa State Historic Preservation Officer
(SHPO) pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (Council) regulations (36 CFR Part
800) implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470) to seek ways to
avoid, reduce, or mitigate the adverse effects on historic properties; and
WHEREAS, the NPS has established the project's area of potential effects (APE), as defined at 36 CFR
800.16(d), to be the property boundary of the Shot Tower ;and
WHEREAS, the rehabilitation is being undertaken in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, including but not
limited to stabilization of the tower structure, conducting an archaeological survey in and around the
tower, construction of anon-combustible interior stairway leading to the top of the 117 foot tower for
improved access and increased stability, a new roof tq prevent further deterioration, and installation of
protective barriers to safeguard the Shot Tower from vehicular damage; and
WHEREAS, archeological investigations within the tower have identified structural features shown on
the 1934 Historic Architectural Building Survey (HABS) scaled drawings of the Shot Tower that
contribute to the significance of the historic property. Potential structural features may have been
encountered during the archaeological investigations immediately adjacent to the Shot Tower. Both the
structural features and potential structural features are covered by substantial amounts of fill deposits.
Additional archeological deposits associated with the historic use of the Shot Tower or with events that
occurred to the Shot Tower after the primary period of significance may exist above the buried structural
features; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque has expressed an interest in excavating and removing all of the interior
fill within the Shot Tower for the purpose of exposing the structural foundation and whatever type of shot
catchment well/basin/tub that exists in order to restore the interior of the structure to its primary period of
significance; and
WHEREAS the NPS has determined that the archeological excavation and data recovery associated with
the project may have an adverse effect on the Shot Tower and its archeological component designated as
13DB838; and
WHEREAS, NPS has consulted with SHSI, SHPO and the City of Dubuque in accordance with Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § (NHPA), and its implementing regulations (36
CFR Part 800.6(b)(2)) to resolve any potential adverse effects of the undertaking on historic properties;
and
WHEREAS, The City of Dubuque will carry out the archeological investigations at the Shot Tower and
its archeological component designated as 13DB838 in accordance with the proposed data recovery plan
to mitigate any potential Adverse Effects of the proposed archeological work; and
WHEREAS, to the best of the Consulting Parties knowledge and belief, no human remains, associated or
unassociated funerary objects or sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony as defined in the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001), are expected to be encountered
during the testing and archeological data recovery at site 13DB838; and
WHEREAS, the NPS has notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Council) of the
potential adverse effect and invited the Council to participate in consultation under 36 CFR
800.6(a)(1)(iii) of its regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Council applied Appendix A of its regulations and found their involvement was not
warranted under the Criteria;
NOW, THEREFORE, the NPS, SHSI, SHPO, and the City of Dubuque agree that upon the NPS decision
to proceed with the project, the NPS shall ensure that the following stipulations are implemented in order
to take into account the effects of the project on historic properties, and that these stipulations shall
govern the project and all of its parts until this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) expires or is
terminated.
Article I
STIPULATIONS
The NPS and the City of Dubuque shall ensure that the following stipulations are implemented:
The City of Dubuque shall implement the Data Recovery Plan entitled Archaeological Data
Recovery Plan for the Excavation of Deposits Filling the Interior of the George W. Rogers
Company Shot Tower (13DB838) in the City of Dubuque, Iowa (Appendix A),
2. The City of Dubuque shall ensure that all historic preservation work pursuant to this agreement is
carried out by or under the direct supervision of an archeologist meeting the Secretary of Interior's
Professional Qualifications Standards as a historic archeologist (48 FR 44738-9).
The SHPO will be provided an opportunity to make one or more site visits to review the data
recovery field work for thoroughness and compliance with the Data Recovery Plan, so that at its
completion, the project may be allowed to proceed and will not be delayed while the laboratory
analysis and writing of the report are being finished.
4. The City of Dubuque shall ensure that all final archeological reports resulting from actions pursuant
to this agreement are responsive to contemporary professional standards and to the Department of the
Interior's Format Standards for Final Reports of Data Recovery Program (42 FR 5377-79).
5. The City of Dubuque will provide a draft report of the archeological investigations within one year to
the SHPO for review and comment. The SHPO will provide comments on the draft report within six
months of receipt of the report.
6. Artifacts recovered from and the documentary records generated by the investigation of the Shot
Tower will be archived and curated at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium or at
other approved facilities in Iowa meeting the standards of 36 CFR 79 so as to be available for future
study.
7. The City of Dubuque shall ensure that the final written report of the testing and data recovery shall be
distributed to the signatories and consulting parties and with the University of Iowa -Office of the
State Archaeologist.
Article II
UNEXPECTED DISCOVERIES DURING CONSTRUCTION
1. In the event that previously unidentified archeological resources are discovered during
construction activities within the construction site, construction work will be halted involving
subsurface disturbance in the area of the resource and in the surrounding area where further
subsurface remains can reasonably be expected to occur, and immediate notification will be
provided to the on-call archeologist.
2. The on-call archeologist (meeting 48 FR 44738-9), will inspect the work site and determine the
extent of the affected archeological resource. Construction work may -then continue in the area
outside the archeological resource as it is defined by the on-call archeologist, in consultation
with the SHPO.
3. Within 2 days of the original notification of discovery, the NPS will, in consultation with the
SHPO, determine the National Register eligibility of the identified resource.
4. If the identified archeological resource is determined eligible for the National Register, the
City shall submit a plan for their avoidance, protection, recovery of information, or destruction
without data recovery. Such a plan shall be provided to SHPO and NPS for review and
comment prior to implementation. NPS will notify all consulting parties of the unanticipated
discovery and provide the proposed treatment plan for their consideration. The SHPO and
consulting parties will have 7 days to provide comments on the proposed treatment plan to the
City upon receipt of the information.
a. Work in the affected area shall resume pending either:
1) Development and implementation of an appropriate data recovery plan or other
recommended mitigation procedures, or
2) Determination that the identified archeological resource is not eligible for
inclusion on the National Register.
5. Any disputes concerning the evaluation or treatment of previously unidentified resources will
be resolved as provided in Stipulation V below titled "Dispute Resolution".
ARTICLE III
ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS
In the event that human remains or burials are encountered during archaeological investigations
or construction activities, The City shall cease work in the area, take appropriate steps to secure
the site and notify officials at the Burials Program at the Office of the State Archaeologist or the
Iowa Department of Health.
1. If the remains appear to be ancient (i.e., older than 150 years), the Burials Program at the
University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist shall have jurisdiction to ensure Iowa law
(Chapters 263B and 716.5 of the Iowa Code), Native American Grave Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the implementing regulations (43CFR10) are observed. In
keeping with the policy and procedures of the Burials Program, the deposition of the remains
will be arranged in consultation with the culturally affiliated tribe(s) determined to be lineal
descendants following the provisions of the NAGPRA (25 U.S.C. 3001 through 3005) or the
Indian Advisory Council to the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist if the
affiliation is not known.
2. If the remains appear to be less than 150 years old, the burial would be legally protected under
Chapters 144.34, 566 and 716.5 of the Iowa Code and would fall under the jurisdiction of the
Iowa Department of Public Health.
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ARTICLE IV
DURATION
This agreement shall remain in effect until expiration of Grant Agreement No. 19-04-ML-0110 between
the City of Dubuque and the NPS. Upon expiration of the Grant Agreement, this MOA shall be null and
void.
ARTICLE V
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
1. Should any party to this agreement object in writing to the NPS regarding any action carried out or
proposed with respect to the undertaking or implementation of this agreement, the NPS shall consult with
the objecting party to resolve the objection. If after initiating such consultation the NPS determines that
the objection cannot be resolved through consultation, the NPS shall forward all documentation relevant
to the objection to the Council, including the NPS's proposed response to the objection. Within 30 days
after receipt of all pertinent documentation, the Council shall exercise one of the following options:
a. Advise the NPS that the Council concurs in the NPS's proposed response to the objection,
whereupon the NPS will respond to the objection accordingly;
b. Provide the NPS with recommendations, which the NPS shall take into account in reaching a
final decision regarding its response to the objection; or
c. Notify the NPS that the objection will be referred for comment pursuant to 36 CFR 800.7(a)(4),
and proceed to refer the objection and comment. The NPS shall take the resulting comment into account
in accordance with 36 CFR 800.7(c)(4) and Section 110(1) of NHPA.
2. Should the Council not exercise one of the above options within 30 days after receipt of all pertinent
documentation, the NPS may assume the Council's concurrence in its proposed response to the objection.
3. The NPS shall take into account any Council recommendation or comment provided in accordance
with this stipulation with reference only to the subject of the objection; the NPS's responsibility to carry
out all actions under this agreement that are not the subjects of the objection shall remain unchanged.
4. At any time during implementation of the measures stipulated in this MOA, should an objection
pertaining to this agreement or the effect of the undertaking on historic properties be raised by a member
of the public, the NPS shall notify the parties to this MOA and take the objection into account, consulting
with the objector and, should the objector so request, with any of the parties to this agreement to resolve
the objection.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
Any party to this agreement may propose to the NPS that the agreement be amended, whereupon the NPS
shall consult with the other parties to this agreement to consider such an amendment. 36 CFR 800.6(c)(1)
shall govern the execution of any such amendment.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
1. If the City of Dubuque, SHSI or NPS determines that it cannot implement the terms of this agreement,
or if NPS or SHPO determines that the agreement is not being properly implemented, such party may
propose to the other parties to this agreement that it be terminated.
2. The party proposing to terminate this agreement shall so notify all parties to this agreement, explaining
the reasons for termination. The parties shall then consult to seek alternatives to termination.
3. Should such consultation fail, the NPS or other signatory parties may terminate the agreement by so
notifying all parties.
4. Should this agreement be terminated, the NPS shall either consult with all parties in accordance with 36
CFR 800.6 to develop a new MOA or request the comments of the Council pursuant to 36 CFR 800.7.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Any notice or other communication under this MOA required or permitted to be given by the
parties shall be sufficiently given or delivered if dispatched by hand or by mail, addressed as
follows:
In the case of a notice or communication to the NPS:
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Attn: Chief, Grants Administration
Courtesy copy to:
National Park Service
601 Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102
Attn: Mark Chavez
6
In the case of a notice or communication to the SHSI:
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0290
Attn: Grants Manager
Phone: (515) 281-6913
Fax: (515) 281-0502
In the case of a notice or communication to the SHPO:
State Historical Society of Iowa
State Historic Preservation Office
600 East Locust Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0290
Attn: Section 106 Review & Compliance Coordinator
Phone: (515) 281-8743
Fax: (515) 281-0502
In the case of a notice or communication to ACHP:
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The Old Post Office Building,
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004-2501
Attn: Executive Director
In the case of a notice or communication to the City of Dubuque, Iowa:
City of Dubuque
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13`t` Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
If a signatory to this Agreement determines that it cannot fulfill the terms of this
Agreement, or otherwise deems it necessary to seek an amendment, it will notify
the parties to this Agreement and request consultation concerning the terms of an
amendment in accordance with 36 C.F.R. 800.6(b).
This MOA may be executed in multiple original counterparts, each of which will
be deemed to be an original, and which together will constitute one and the same
agreement.
7
Execution of this MOA by NPS, SHSI, SHPO, and the City of Dubuque and implementation of its terms,
evidence that the NPS has afforded the Council an opportunity to comment on the project and its effects
on historic properties, and that the NPS has taken into account the effects of the project on historic
properties.
APPROVED: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
By:
Date:
Name
Title
Execution of this MOA by NPS, SHSI, SHPO, and the City of Dubuque and implementation of
its terms, evidence that the NPS has afforded the Council an opportunity to comment on the
project and its effects on historic properties, and that the NPS has taken into account the effects
of the project on historic properties.
APPROVED: STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA
By:
Date:
Name Gordon Hendrickson
Title Administrator, Public Trust Division
Execution of this MOA by NPS, SHSI, SHPO, and the City of Dubuque and implementation of
its terms, evidence that the NPS has afforded the Council an opportunity to comment on the
project and its effects on historic properties, and that the NPS has taken into account the effects
of the project on historic properties.
APPROVED: STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
sy:
Date:
Name Lowell J. Soike
Title Iowa Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
10
Execution of this MOA by NPS, SHSI, SHPO, and the City of Dubuque and implementation of its terms,
evidence that the NPS has afforded the Council an opportunity to comment on the project and its effects
on historic properties, and that the NPS has taken into account the effects of the project on historic
properties.
CONCUR: CITY OF DUBUQUE
By: Date:
Name Roy D. Buol
Title Mayor
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APPENDIX A
Archaeological Data Recovery Plan for the
Excavation of Deposits Filling the
Interior of the George W. Rogers Company
Shot Tower (13DB838) in the City of Dubuque, Iowa
Introduction
The following archaeological data recovery plan is intended to guide the excavation of remaining
fill deposits within the George W. Rogers Company Shot Tower (13DB838), also known as the
Dubuque Shot Tower, located in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and is based upon archaeological
and geomorphological investigations performed by Great Lakes Archaeological Research Center,
Inc., and Strata Morph Geoexploration, Inc. as a component of the Shot Tower Rehabilitation
Project. The rehabilitation project is sponsored by City of Dubuque (City), which is receiving
funding through a Historic Sites Preservation grant (No. 04-007) and a Historic Resource
Development Program grant (No. 06-022) awarded by the State Historical Society of Iowa, and a
Save America's Treasures grant (No. 19-04-ML-0110) awarded by the National Park Service.
Prior archaeological and geomorphological investigations conducted as part of the rehabilitation
project attempted to determine how much of the Shot Tower base is buried below the present
ground surface and the accuracy of the 1934 Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
sketches depicting the structure's interior foundation features. Of the two goals, only that related
to the accuracy of the 1934 HABS sketches, and the data that support it, is pertinent to the
current data recovery plan. After the relevant data are briefly reviewed in the following
paragraphs, the data recovery plan developed for the excavation of the remaining fill deposits
within the Shot Tower (12DB838) is presented.
Prior Archaeological/Geomorphological Investigations
The archaeological and geomorphological investigation of the Shot Tower interior, which
measures approximately 14 feet square, began with the manual extraction of three soil cores
followed by the excavation of a 5 feet square (ft sq) unit filling the structure's southeastern
corner. Investigators extracted the three soil cores using an Oakfield soil probe with extensions.
Probe No. 1 sampled the southwestern corner of the tower, while Probe No. 2 sampled the
southeastern corner, and Probe No. 3 recovered deposits from the center of the structure. Each
probe extended to varying depths; however, all revealed a uniform stratigraphic sequence
consisting of gravel fill over sand resting on a rubble layer on top of a homogenous sandy layer.
The sandy layer represents dredge spoil that similarly occurs outside and surrounding the Shot
Tower base. Probe Nos. 1 and 2 extended 6.8 ft and 5.7 ft respectively below the ground surface
(bgs), while Probe No. 3 continued down approximately 10.6 ft bgs before ending at the
presumed top of a brick rubble deposit. This deposit is interpreted as material that collected in
the center of the structure, possibly in the shot catchment well/tub/reservoir, sometime after the
1911 fire that resulted in the commercial abandonment of the Shot Tower. In contrast, Probe No.
1 ended in the sandy dredge spoil whereas Probe No. 2 was thought to have encountered a
structural surface, possibly a floor that prevented it from being pushed deeper.
As a result of the depth of the fill and the potential presence of a structural surface revealed by
Probe No. 2, together with a desire to be able to relate subsurface deposits and structural features
12
to the Shot Tower walls, investigators excavated the 5 ft sq unit adjoining the southern and
eastern walls of the tower's southeastern corner. The unit's size insured that it overlapped the
current, concrete sills of the lower window openings present on the eastern and southern sides of
the structure. Fill excavated from the unit was screened through one-quarter inch hardware mesh
cloth, and artifacts were collected and bagged by provenience.
Excavation of the unit encountered the previously described gravel fill over sand resting upon
rubble fill on top of the sandy dredge spoil sequence, and exposed structural features before
being terminated at a maximum depth of approximately 8 ft bgs. The excavation was terminated
at 8 ft due to concern for the safety of excavators. Artifacts were collected from the rubble layer,
which is interpreted as the circa 1960 ground surface where debris related to the early 1960s
effort to stabilize the Shot Tower collected. Prior to circa 1960, the surface probably represented
the top of the sandy dredge spoil deposited across the area in order to raise the ground above
flood water level for economic development during the early 1940s. While the soil probes
suggested the sandy dredge spoil to be homogenous, excavation of the unit revealed clay clasts
and strata occur between sandy strata, and it is one of the stiff clay deposits, and not a structural
feature, that prevented Probe No. 2 from penetrating deeper into the deposits. The dredge spoil
deposits yielded several clam shells, but no other artifacts.
Structural Features
Structural features related to the foundation and lower flooring of the Shot Tower began
appearing approximately 4.0 ft bgs. The first feature exposed is a roughly triangular arrangement
of cemented rocks, which subsequently has been shown to be resting on a foundation comprised
of at least three stepped tiers. Several pieces of flat glass and the articulated shoulder bones,
which show butcher (saw) marks, of a large mammal rested on or between the rocks. In addition,
flecks of charcoal are present between the rocks and no doubt represent trapped debris from the
1911 fire. The upper surface of the rock arrangement is roughly even in elevation with an
approximately 2 inch wide rock ledge protruding from and running the exposed length of the
tower's southern wall. Both the rock arrangement and ledge are tentatively interpreted as
supports for a lower wooden floor, which probably once encircled the shot catchment
welUtub/reservoir that existed in the central, lower portion of the foundation. Neither support
feature is depicted on the 1934 HABS scaled drawings; however, the tiered foundation is shown.
The HABS drawing shows the interior side of the foundation defined by three stepped, tiers.
Excavation of the unit to a depth of 8 ft exposed three tiers, and a hand probe extended
approximately 1.5 ft deeper suggests another depicted surface---the possible floor--exists. The
surface of the upper tier begins approximately 4.8 ft bgs and has a curved edge that extends 1.4-
to-2.25 ft from the wall before dropping 1.5-to-1.9 ft to the top of the second tier, which has a
curved edge and is approximately 0.42 ft wide. The top of the second tier rises 0.75-to-1.2 ft
above the third tier, which measures approximately 0.42 ft wide and is similarly curved. On the
HABS drawing, the first tier is shown as 1.7 ft high and 0.67 ft wide at its narrowest, while the
second tier is described as 1.0 ft high by 0.5 ft wide, and measurements for the third tier are
given as 1.6 ft high by 0.42 ft wide.. Discrepancies between the two sets of measurements where
comparable data are known, is due to variations of widths and heights, which the two sets of
recorders capture in their reported measurements, along a tier. Complete exposure of the interior
of the Shot Tower will reveal how uniform each tier is regarding its height and width. Suffice it
13
to state at this time, the HABS recorders observed a portion, if not the entire interior base of the
tower.
Near Future Archaeological Investigations
Upon realizing that the HABS drawing depicting the interior side of the foundation is at least in
part accurate, and recognizing that the restoration and interpretation of the Shot Tower will be
enhanced by exposing the lower structural features, the City consulted with the Iowa State
Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service about the archaeological excavation
of the remaining interior fill. Consultation was required in order to determine if the removal of
the remaining interior fill would have an adverse affect upon the structure's stability and
remaining interior archaeological deposits. As a result of this consultation, an archaeological data
recovery document was created in order to guide the excavation of the remaining fill from within
the Shot Tower. The data recovery plan, which is presented in greater detail in the following
sections, consists of five broadly defined tasks: excavation (Task 1), documentation (Task 2),
laboratory analysis and data organization/interpretation (Task 3), report preparation (Task 4), and
transfer of artifacts and documentary records to a curation facility (Task 5).
Data Recovery Plan
Task l: Excavation
The interior of the Shot Tower measures approximately 14 ft sq and encompasses approximately
196 square feet (sq ft) of which 25 sq ft have been partially excavated, mapped, profiled, and
photographed. In order to maintain consistency in the excavation and documentation of the
southeastern corner of the Shot Tower, the interior of the tower will be divided into uneven
quarters, and each quarter will be excavated as a separate unit for purposes of spatial control. The
northern edge of the existing southeastern unit (Unit 1) will be extended westward while the
western one will be extended northward to create the four quarters: the southeastern quarter (Unit
1) will measure 5 ft by 5 ft, the southwestern quarter (Unit 2) will measure 9 ft east-west by 5 ft
north-south, the northwestern quarter (Unit 3) will measure 9 ft sq, and the northeastern quarter
(Unit 4) will measure 9 ft north-south by 5 ft east-west. Generally, fill removed from each unit
will not be screened; however, exceptions will be made for the fill excavated from the upper
surfaces of additional floor supports, which are expected to be exposed in each corner, or
contacting the lower surface of the foundation. Similarly, deposits removed from the shot
catchment well/tub/reservoir will be screened. In addition, soil samples will be collected from
the fill contacting the lower foundation surface and that from within the shot catchment
well/tub/reservoir in order to measure levels of residual hazardous by-products of historical lead
shot production.
Excavation of the four units will follow a patterned schedule in order to extend existing Unit 1
wall profiles the length of the north and west dimensions of the Shot Tower's interior. Fill will
be removed from Units 2, 3, and 4 in 3-to-4 ft intervals; however, finer grained intervals may be
used if stratigraphic or artifactual conditions require them. The excavation of a set amount of fill
will first take place at Units 2 and 4 in order to extend the north and west wall profiles of Unit 1
for documentation purposes. Afterward, a similar amount of fill will be removed from Unit 3„
and then the cycle of fill removal will be repeated; however, after 6-to-7 ft of fill has been
removed from Units 2, 3, and 4, additional fill will not be removed from Unit 3, which fronts the
current doorway leading into/out of the structure, until Units 1, 2, and 4 are excavated to their
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bases. Leaving the removal of the lower fill of Unit 3 until the end will permit easier access to
and exit from the lower excavated levels of Units 1, 2, and 4; and serve as a platform that
supports equipment facilitating the mechanical removal of excavated fill. Excavation of the last
unit will complete the interior excavation of fill from the Shot Tower, and the excavated area
will not be backfilled.
Task 2: Documentation
During the archaeological investigation of the Shot Tower's interior, excavators will document
the field work with field notes, data logs, plan maps, wall profiles, and photographs. Within each
unit, all features will be documented graphically with photographs and line drawings. Upon
completion of the excavation, a plan view of the interior base of the Shot Tower will be drafted
showing all exposed structural features and their relationship to one another. At the end of the
field investigation, all excavation documentation, together with any recovered artifacts, will be
removed to a designated laboratory and office facility where the records and raw data will be
processed, analyzed, and interpreted.
Task 3: Laboratory Analysis and Data Organization/Interpretation
Materials removed to the designated laboratory and office facility will be organized, reviewed,
and prepared for incorporation into the project's final report. Collected artifacts will be
inventoried, sorted, washed, labeled, analyzed, and interpreted. In addition, artifacts will be
prepared for curation according to the procedures outlined by the facility, either the National
Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium or another approved repository in Iowa that will
receive them. Photographic film will be processed and photo logs reviewed. In addition, field
notes, line drawings and maps, and soil profiles will be reviewed or prepared for presentation in
the final report. Soil samples collected in order to measure lead contamination within the Shot
Tower, will be turned over to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for processing and
analysis.
Task 4: Report Preparation
A final report detailing the techniques and methodologies, as well as the results of the study will
be prepared according to the Department of the Interior's Format Standards for Final Reports of
Data Recovery Program and submitted to the City of Dubuque for review and distribution to the
National Park Service and the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office for further comment and
approval.
Task 5: Curation and Archiving Artifacts and Documentary Records
Upon acceptance of the final report by the City of the Dubuque, the National Park Service, and
the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, all artifacts and documentary records generated by
the study will be transferred to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium or another
designated facility in Iowa for curation and archival purposes (also see Task 3).
Transferal of project related materials for curation and archival purposes will mark the end of the
proposed archaeological project investigating the Shot Tower's interior fill deposits.
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