Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Widening and Rehabilitation of Southport Road from State Road 37 to Bluff Road in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request ofClark Dietz, Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey for the proposed widening and rehabilitation of Southport Road from State Road 37 to Bluff Road in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. The main focus of the proposed project is the installation of additional travel lanes along the north and south sides of Southport Road. Portions of Harding Street and Bluff Road will also be rehabilitated, in order to accommodate additional turn lanes at their intersections with Southport Road. Finally, a new storm sewer system will be installed that will outlet into Little Buck Creek adjacent to Harding Street. The purposes of survey were 1) to identify and document all of the cultural resources in the project area, 2) to evaluate any sites found with regard to their eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS), and 3) to make recommendations for the protection of significant and potentially significant sites. Fieldwork was conducted November 17-19, 2000 by GBL archaeologists Mary E. Pirkl and Daniel C. Seib. No cultural materials were discovered during survey. Based upon the results of Phase Ia reconnaissance survey, no further archaeological work is recommended. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed project area, provided that all earth-moving activities and impacts are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.