Archaeological Investigations at the Lily Pond in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Abstract

On August 18, 2011, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological monitoring of backhoe trenching within the Lily Pond located in Brackenridge Park. The CAR was contracted by the City of San Antonio to investigate whether or not portions of a dam had been uncovered within the Lily Pond. The investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 6021. Steve A. Tomka served as Principal Investigator, and Kristi Miller Ulrich served as Project Archaeologist. Backhoe trenching within the Lily Pond did not reveal remnants of a dam. However, portions of Lily Pond wall that were constructed during the Works Project Administration (WPA) era were encountered and documented. CAR does not recommend any further investigations within the pond in relation to locating a dam in the western portion of the pond. No artifacts were collected and all documents related to the project are permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.