02-10-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Present Investigation: The foundation was observed during the pedestrian survey. Shovel tests were excavated around the foundation at five meter intervals; these tests produced no artifacts. The structure that used to be on this foundation shows up on 1930s aerial photographs. Archeological Data: The property is limited to the foundation. Several brick fragments and charred wood were noted when the interior of the foundation was shovel tested. These items were not collected. Interpretations: This w-as probably an outbuilding associated with a farmhouse that used to exist nearby. The farmhouse, which appears on the Excelsior 7.5’ topographic map, was tom down, and the area it occupied was landscaped when the convention complex was built. Significance: Because of the lack of intact archeological deposits greater than 50 years old, OS A has declined to issue a site number for this property. Recommendation: No further work. Historic Farmstead. The architecture/history suiv'ey consisted of three elements: (a) background research, (b) field survey, and (c) evaluation of survey data. Background research was limited to checking SHPO county inventory files and a search of old plats, aerial photographs, and county narrative histories. The field survey documented above ground resources at the reconnaissance level. Following a windshield survey of the entire survey area, all buildings and structures that appeared to be more than fifty years old were inspected, photographed, and mapped. Architectural identification and evaluation employed standard style-n pe classifications (see Deny et al. 1985). One site with pre-1940 architectural features was identified within the project area. This property had been previously recorded by the 1988 National Register reconnaissance survey of western Hennepin County sponsored by the Minnesota SHPO (Roberts 1988). All of the other buildings and structures within the survey area boundaries were non- historic, i.e., their construction post-dated World War H. The historic site is a farmstead located at 860 Spring Hill Road, south of Highway 6, and consists of a dwelling, a traditional wooden bam, and two smaller outbuildings on a hilly, w'ooded lot (Figures 1 and 3b). The site may be the same farmstead as the one shown on two early plats (Wright 1873; Dahl 1898). It is clearly shown on old aerial photographs (USDA 1937-57). The farmhouse is a wood frame building, 1-1/2 stories in height, gable roofed, with stucco walls, a cedar shingle roof, and some minor Craftsman Style- influenced detailing (Plate 5). Originally constructed ca. 1910, the house has been substantially altered. The wooden bam is a specimen of the gambrel-roof t>pe general purpose barn, with lapboard siding, wood shingles, and exposed rafter tails under the eaves (Plate 6). It is probably about the same age as the house but is in somew’hat deteriorated condition. Other outbuildings at this location include a partially collapsed L- I