A Cultural Resources Assessment of the 5 Acre Site of the Proposed Texax A&M University Development Foundation Headquarters Building in Brazos County, Texas

Abstract

A cultural resources assessment of a five acre site on the Texas A&M University campus was conducted by Brazos Valley Research Associates (BVRA) in October of 1994 at the request of the Texas A&M University Development Foundation. This project evaluated an existing structure (Building 509), the headquarters building for the Texas A&M University Police Department, which the Foundation intends to demolish, and the surrounding grounds for the presence of buried prehistoric and/or historic artifacts. No evidence of a prehistoric site was found in the project area. Shovel testing revealed a disturbed landscape that is defined by the Soil Conservation Service as Urban Land. The soil profile consisted of a sandy loam overlying dark brown clay between 5 and 25 cm below the existing surface. The nearest water source is an intermittent tributary of Bee Creek. It is believed that this setting was not one that was conducive to prehistoric settlement. The existing structure was found to have been constructed in 1939 to serve as the American Legion Hall. It was originally a wooden frame structure that has been modified several times. According to records at the University, there were no previous structures on this site. This building is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Archeological Landmark. This project was performed under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit 1462.