National register eligibility testing of site 41BO184, Brazoria County, Texas

Site 41BO184 is located within the right-of-way for the proposed expansion of State Highway 35 at the Oyster Creek crossing in southern Brazoria County. It was originally recorded as a multicomponent site in 1994 and was the subject of three distinct and limited archeological investigations by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) staff. In 2003, TxDOT contracted with the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio to test the National Register of Historic Places and State Archeological Landmark eligibility of the site. Systematic mechanical auger borings, ten hand-excavated 1-x-1-meter test units, and Gradall scrapings helped identify a very sparse Late Prehistoric, possibly Rockport, component at the site. Although it is possible that at least some of the prehistoric artifacts come from the shell-paved driveway that cross-cut the site, it is also possible that some of the prehistoric artifacts represent in situ finds. The historic component, rich in temporally diagnostic ceramic fragments, dates to the mid-nineteenth century. The lack of intact features, the small size of the artifact assemblage, and the reduced size of the available materials, severely limits the research potential of the site. Therefore, it is recommended that site 41BO184 is not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places nor does it warrant designation as a State Archeological Landmark.