Excavations at the McDonald Site, 41 BX 794, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

In July 1989, the Center for Archaeological Research entered into a contract with the San Antonio Housing Authority to provide archival research and field investigations for the area to be impacted by additions to the Housing Authority Building and parking on portions of New City Blocks 2553 and 2969. The archival research revealed that the area contained some portions of the San Pedro acequia and the site of the John Stewart McDonald homestead. The acequia had been extensively investigated by the Center in 1979 and 1981, therefore only limited investigations were directed toward the later modified channel, with the primary thrust of field work dedicated toward the McDonald homestead. Excavations revealed that the structure was a substantial residence with the major portion of the basement still intact below the surface.