2001 01 18 HPCi.
cFM OF Tl'v
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
AG EN DA
The Regular Meeting to be held in the Session Room at the
La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California
January 18, 2001
3:00 P.M.
Beginning Minute Motion 2001-001
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Historic Preservation
Commission on matters relating to historic resources within the City of La Quinta
which are not Agenda items. When addressing the Historic Preservation
Commission, please state your name and address and when discussing matters
pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for
their protection.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Approval of the regular Minutes for the meeting of December 21, 2000
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Limited Archaeological Testing on Parcel Map 29909 for Specific Plan 200-
050; located north Calle Tampico, between Avenida Bermudas and Desert
Club Drive.
Applicant: Santa Rosa Plaza, Inc. (Bison Hotel Group
Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
B. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey and Testing Report - Vista
Montana: located at the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Calle
Tampico.
Applicant: KSL Development Corporation
Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
0 0
HPC/AGENDA
C. Cultural Resources Assessment for APN 649-040-013• located on the east
side of Dune Palms Road, approximately 500 feet south of Westward Ho
Drive.
Applicant: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock)
D. Report on Archaeological Monitoring for the La Quinta Court Proiect: located
on the southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway 1 1 1 .
Applicant: G. J. Murphy Construction
Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory Group (James Brock)
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
002
HPC/AGENDA
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
December 21, 2000
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman
Robert Wright at 3:00 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call.
Present: Commissioners Barbara Irwin, Mike Mitchell, Maria Puente, Archie
Sharp, and Chairman Robert Wright.
Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, and Executive Secretary
Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT:
A. Mr. Bruce Love, asked if he could go ahead with the trenching on the
Embassy Suites. Staff stated they would work with him to allow the
trenching.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
B. Chairman Wright asked if there were any corrections to the Minutes of
November 9, 2000. There being no further corrections, it was moved
and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Sharp to approve the Minutes of
November 9, as corrected. Unanimously approved.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Phase I Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey and Paleontologic
Assessment for Puerta Azul Specific Plan Area: located on the vest side
of Madison Street, north of Avenue 58. Applicant: Pacific Land
Management Company. Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce
Love). Paleontological Consultant: San Bernardino County Museum
Section of Geological Sciences.
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
December21, 1999
1. Planning Manger Christine di lorio presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department.
2. Commissioner Sharp asked what would happen to the sculptures
that were still on the site. Staff stated the developer owns them
and it is up to him to make that determination.
3. Commissioner Mitchell stated he agrees with staff's
recommendations.
4. Commissioners Irwin, Sharp, Puente and Chairman Wright stated
they concurred with staff's recommendation.
5. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Mitchell/Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2000-029
accepting the "Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report
as recommended. Unanimously approved.
6. It was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to
adopt Minute Motion 2000-030, accepting the Paleontological
Assessment Puerta Azul Specific Plan as recommended.
Unanimously approved.
B. Phase I and Phase II Archaeological Assessment of a 75 Acre Site for
Proposed Monticello Project; located on the west side of Jefferson
Street, between Fred Waring Drive and Monroe Avenue. Applicant:
Century Homes. Archaeological Consultant: Archaeological Advisory
Group (James Brock).
1. Planning Manager Christine di lorio presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development Department .
2. Commissioner Mitchell stated he concurred with staff's
recommendation.
3. Commissioner Irwin stated she wanted the City to be careful on
this site due to the amount of artifacts that had been found at
Heritage Palms. Staff confirmed the site had been trenched with
a backhoe and nothing was found.
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December 21, 1999
4. Commissioner Sharp stated there were monumental sand dunes
and he assumed the developer would level the land. Staff
confirmed they would be.
5. Commissioner Puente stated she concurred with staff's
recommendation.
6. Chairman Wright stated he concurred with staff's
recommendation.
2. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Puente/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2000-031
accepting the Phase I and Phase II Archaeological Assessments for
the Proposed Monticello Project, as recommended. Unanimously
approved.
C. Certificate of Appropriateness 2000-007 for a new freestanding sign for
a historic commercial building; located at the southwest corner of Calle
Tampico and Eisenhower Drive. Applicant: Jim and Bruce Cathcart, La
Quinta Palms Realty.
1. Planning Manger Christine di lorio presented the information
contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the
Community Development department.
2. Commissioner Irwin stated the applicant had asked her regarding
the design and location of the sign and she had asked if there
would be a planter. She further identified the palm tree that would
be removed.
3. Commissioner Sharp asked staff to identify what the line
represented on the building. Staff stated it was a reveal.
Commissioner Sharp stated he likes the design, but it was not
drawn to scale. He has a problem with the integrity of the sign.
Due to the location of this building, It will be a showplace and the
sign does not appear to be Spanish.
4. Commission Mitchell stated he has no comment and concurs with
staff's recommendation.
5. Commissioner Irwin stated she likes the angle of the sign instead
of the prior location in front of the building. If it is kept at a four
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
December 21. 1999
foot height including the planter, it is an improvement over the
prior submittal.
6. Commissioner Sharp asked where the six inch planter was to be
located and stated he did not like the sign style.
7. Commissioner Puente asked if they could request a re -submittal of
the design. Staff stated it was up to the Commission.
8. Commissioner Sharp stated the applicant should make every effort
to be authentic. Staff stated it is a restoration.
9. Commissioner Mitchell asked if Commissioner Sharp would prefer
the sign to be smaller. Commissioner Sharp stated yes; four feet
would be better. Discussion followed as to the size of the sign.
10. Chairman Wright asked if there was any sign requirements
proposed for the Village. Staff stated the downtown signs will be
building mounted and pedestrian oriented. There is no design
theme designs currently, but there are design guidelines. The City
Council has not directed there to be any architectural guidelines.
11. Commissioner Irwin stated the existing sign is too big i for the
building.
12. Commissioner Sharp stated he does not like the "Art Deco" style.
Staff suggested they radius the corners.
13. Mr. Bruce Cathcart, representing La Quinta Palms Realty stated he
was willing to work with the Commission on any changes.
Commissioner Sharp stated his concerns about the chopped off
edges. He would prefer the original sign at a smaller scale.
14. Chairman Wright stated the Commission would like to make a
stand on a sign design for the Village to keep it uniform. He
agrees that the corners should be rounded. Mr. Cathcart stated
they asked the sign company for a sign that was in keeping with
the building style and age and this is what they sent them. He
would agree with the Commission's recommendation. Staff stated
it was a mission style arch.
15. Commissioner Irwin asked about the planter size. Mr. Cathcart
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December 21, 1999
stated the planter would match the building and sign and would be
no higher than one brick.
16. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Irwin/Puente to adopt Minute Motion 2000-031
recommending approval of the requested revision to the sign with
a mission style arch. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL:
A. Staff informed the Commission about the Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Seminar to be held on March 17 as it could be a field trip for the
Commission that would include a tour of the Stout Research Center.
B. Commissioner Irwin asked about the State Conference in Barstow. Staff
stated they would keep them informed as information became available.
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners
Irwin/Puente to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the
next regularly scheduled meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission on
January 18, 2001. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was
adjourned at 3:44 p.m. December 21, 2000. Unanimously approved.
Submitted by:
Betty J. Sawyer
Executive Secretary
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DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
JANUARY 18, 2001
LIMITED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING ON PARCEL MAP
29909 FOR SPECIFIC PLAN 2000-050
NORTH OF CALLE TAMPICO, BETWEEN AVENIDA
BERMUDAS AND DESERT CLUB DRIVE
SANTA ROSA PLAZA, INC. (BISON HOTEL GROUP, LLC)
CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL)
A Phase I Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey for this proposed hotel complex
was reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) on October 19, 2000
(Attachment 1). The HPC required that backhole tests trenches be dug to determine
whether there is a need to monitor future earth moving activities on the 14.3 acre site.
DISCUSSION:
CRM TECH excavated two 50 meter long trenches to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters,
with "pothole" trenches to a depth of 2.5 meters or more excavated at each end of
each trench. These trenches were placed in the areas of the deepest proposed
construction cuts, those being in the area of the tennis courts and in the area of the
hotel pad.
The trenching did not encounter any subsurface archaeological deposits. The
excavated soil consisted of a combination of silty clay, silty sand, sandy silt, fluvial
sand, and mesquite dune sand, but no shell or rotted plant material. Based on the
stratigraphy of the trenching, it appears this area was a part of the deep water of
Holocene Lake La Cahuilla. The report concludes that this area was deep enough that
it was inhospitable to plant and animal life.
Based on the negative findings of the archaeological testing program, CRM TECH
concludes that issuance of grading permits and building permits will have no effect on
any "historical resources" as defined by CEQA. The report states that no further
008
P:\STAN\hpc rpt sp 2000-050 testing embassy suites.wpd
investigation is recommended unless the project area is expanded or buried cultural
materials are discovered during construction.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2000- , accepting :
1.) The "Limited Archaeological Testing on Tentative Parcel Mao No. 29909", as
prepared by CRM TECH.
Attachments:
1 . HPC minutes for the meeting of October 19, 2001
2. Report for Limited Archaeological Testing on Tentative Parcel Map No. 29909
Prepared by: Submitted By:
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
Cam. e6.0h' I -) —
Christine di lorio, PI nning Manager
009
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA
October 19, 2000
This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was call to order by Chairman
Robert Wright at 3:02 p.m. who led the flag salute and as d for the roll caul.
CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance.
B. Roll Call:
Present:
Staff Present:
II. PUBLIC COMMENT:
III. CONFIRMATION OF
IV. CONSENT CALEN
A. It was
the Mi
approy
V. BUSINE
Commissi h
rm Wers Irwin, Mitchell, Puente, Sharp, and
Chairight.
Plan 1ng Manager Christine di lorio, and Secretary
Cayblyn Walker.
E AGENDA: Confirmed
and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Sharp to approve
of September 21, 2000 as submitted. Unanimously
A. Phase I Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey for Specific Plan 2000-
% 050• located north of Calle Tampico, between Avenida Bermudas and
Desert Club Drive. Applicant: Santa Rosa Plaza, Inc. (Bison Hotel Group,
LLC. - Archaeological Consultant: CRM TECH (Bruce Love)
1 . Planning Manager Christine di lorio presented the staff report, a
copy of which is on file in the Community Development
Department.
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
October 19, 2000
2. Commissioner Irwin commented the Commission had developed a
certain set of standards for monitoring concerning the grading and
trenching. She had some questions as to the definition of
trenching versus grading and the depths involved for each.
3. Planning Manager di lorio explained each project was analyzed on
a case -by -case basis and generally the recommendations of the
archaeologist were followed based upon what the field survey
uncovered or if there was archaeological sensitivity in the
surrounding areas. The Commission has been asking that there be
monitoring during trenching which has been done in other areas in
the Cove.
4. Commissioner Irwin asked if trenching was specified and if the site
included a mound, outside of the trenching area, what procedures
would be followed?
5. Planning Manager di lorio replied that would be up to the
archaeologist since topography of the site is also important.
6. Commissioner Irwin also added the site was a former landing strip,
and there was too much clay to grow anything. The
recommendation stated monitoring during earth moving activities
and she wondered if it would be better to use the word
"trenching".
7. Planning Manager di lorio clarified the need for monitoring given
what was observed, namely the topography and artifacts on
record for the site, plus research done by the archaeologist. The
recommendation for this project was if something was uncovered
during the grading an archaeologist would be called to the site.
8. Commissioner Sharp asked that a definition of "trenching" be
provided.
9. Planning Manager di lorio suggested it may not be necessary to
define grading, because trenching refers to the areas being dug
for pipes or irrigation systems.
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Historic Preservation Commission, Minutes
October 19, 2000
10. Chairman Wright commented he felt it was better to look at each
project on a case -by -case basis, adding specific conditions for
each project.
11. Commissioner Irwin said she preferred monitoring during the; earth -
moving activities with the option to be more specific if necessary.
She stated the Commission has been trying to set up some
standards for monitoring of sites.
12. Commissioner Sharp asked if there was going to be subterranean
sites on the project; such as a swimming pool, and how would
that affect the monitoring requirements.
13. Planning Manager di lorio answered there was no proposed
subterranean parking at this time, but there were plans for a hotel
pool, appropriate to the size of the development.
14. Planning Manager di lorio added there would also be a
subterranean tennis court and wanted to clarify if the Commission
wanted monitoring just for grading of the tennis court, or for
anything that went below a certain level.
15. Chairman Wright asked what the standards were for other CLG
cities such as Pasadena.
16. Planning Manager di lorio was only able to define what was done
in San Juan Capistrano, where she formerly worked. In that City
they defined the depth based upon the archaeologist's
recommendation and the sensitivity of the site and did define
trenching as anything 18 inches below the surface.
17. Commissioner Mitchell remarked the difference between trenching
and grading was whether it was done with a backhoe or a scraper.
If it was a significant sample of the site you can look at the
sidewalls, see a profile of the stratigraphy which may suffice. He
thought it best to monitor the site because you have a good idea
of the geologic and the cultural profiling caused by the trenching
and then go from there. If it's negative in terms of trenching, he
would not recommend any more grading, but it was a judgement
call according to the recommendations of the archaeologist.
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
October 19, 2000
18. Chairman Wright asked Commissioner Irwin if she had any history
of the site which would require the Commission to be more
specific.
19. Commissioner Irwin replied she didn't have any specifics only that
she would like to have the site monitored if trenching was to go
beyond two feet.
20. Commissioner Mitchell interjected it may be advantageous to have
an archaeologist with a geology background since he could see if
the strata pre -dates any existence of man at the site. That might
be one idea because unless you were looking for paleontology
findings there would be no sense in an archaeologist being there.
The backhoe trenching would give an idea if they need to come
back with another recommendation in terms of how old the soil
area is and if there was any possibility of human occupation
occurring in these particular stratas.
21. Planning Manager di lorio explained in some respects this process
would be a Phase II testing because you're doing a backhoe trench
as far as a Phase II would be concerned.
22. Commissioner Irwin observed at one time or another most areas
of the Cove have been farmed and asked how far down a tractor's
disc would have gone.
23. Commissioner Mitchell commented farming should not have that
much of an impact to the soil since it only goes to a depth of four
to ten inches and that same soil is being turned over and over. So
it should not have a negative affect in terms of the provenience of
artifacts as it doesn't necessarily move them off site or destroy
them completely.
24. Commissioner Irwin thought there was a possibility the artifacts
could be deeper if this was a former lake site.
25. Commissioner Mitchell suggested the Commission request a
couple of test units be done.
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October 19, 2000
26. Chairman Wright commented that might be less expensiive and
better for the developer instead of requiring an archaeologist on
site for monitoring every bit of grading since it should be
extensive.
27. Commissioner Irwin commented this project was important as we
should begin to get more requests from developers in this same
area.
28. Commissioner Sharp said he thought there should be testing done
where the swimming pool and tennis court are to be constructed.
29. Commissioner Irwin expressed her concern that this area could be
very rich in artifacts and guidelines, or standards, should be in
place for this and all future projects in the area.
30. Commissioner Mitchell reiterated test holes could be dug and an
assessment made at that point.
31. Chairman Wright agreed the Commission wants to be thorough,
but not at the price of losing all new development.
32. Planning Manager di lorio confirmed the recommendation was to
provide a test excavation and asked if the Commission wanted a
specific number, or leave the decision to the archeologist.
Unanimous consent of the Commissioners was to let the
archaeologist decide.
33. Commissioner Puente asked for clarification on developers'
standards.
34. Commissioner Irwin replied the Commission had already been
requiring developers to monitor, but the current discussion was
about what the Commission's expectations for the future were, as
far as standards or guidelines are concerned.
35. Chairman Wright asked if the Commissioners wanted to add this
topic as a future agenda item.
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
October 19, 2000
36. Planning Manager di lorio said the current procedure was to look
at each project as unique and individual because historically the
monitoring of trenching for projects in the northern part of the City
have all been negative.
37. Commissioner Irwin added we are now dealing with the Cove
which is different than northern La Quinta. An example would be
the area at Coachella Drive where artifacts were found which isn't
that far away.
38. Chairman Wright asked the Commissioners if they wanted to
continue looking at projects on a case -by -case basis or come up
with a defined set of guidelines.
39. Commissioner Mitchell felt the Commission could rely on the
professionalism of the archaeologist as well as the Commission's
recommendations If the Commission has any concern they can
recommend monitoring or testing to some level at that time.
40, Chairman Wright questioned whether the Commission should have
a standardized set of guidelines and add to them on a case -by -
case basis.
41. Commissioner Mitchell stated that would be easier.
42. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Commissioners Sharp/Mitchell to adopt Minute Motion 2000-024
recommending approval of the Phase I Historic/Archaeological
Resources Survey for Specific Plan 2000-050; located northeast
of the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico with the
following condition added:
a. The applicant shall prepare a Phase II study consisting of
test trenches as appropriate to determine if monitoring is
necessary.
Unanimously approved.
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015
LIMITED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING ON
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP No. 29909
City of La Quinta
Riverside County, California
Submitted to:
Daniel Brown
Bison Hotel Group, LLC
P. O. Box 1503
La Quinta, California 92253-1503
Submitted by:
Bruce Love, Principal
Harry M. Quinn, Archaeologist
CRM TECH
2411 Sunset Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
December 15, 2000
CRM TECH Contract #612
Approximately 14 Acres
La Quinta, Calif., 7.5' Quadrangle
Section 6, T6S R7E, San Bernardino Base Meridian
016
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
In December, 2000, at the request of the Bison Hotel Group, LLC, CRM TECH
preformed a limited archaeological testing program on Tentative Parcel No.
29909 in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The subject
property of the study consists of a portion of the southwest quarter of the
northwest quarter of Section 6, T6S R7E, San Bernardino Base Meridian,
located between Desert Circle Drive and Avenida Bermudas, north of Calle
Tampico. The study is part of the environmental review process for a
proposed subdivision and commercial development project to be undertaken
on the property, as required by the City of La Quinta, Lead Agency for the
project, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
and with Title 7 of the City of La Quinta Municipal Code (Historic
Preservation). The purpose of the study is to assist the City in assessing; the
project area's sensitivity for subsurface archaeological deposits and thereby
determining the necessity for archaeological monitoring during future earth -
moving activities. During the course of the study, CRM TECH directed and
monitored the excavation of two trenches on the property. Throughout this
procedure, no subsurface cultural remains were discovered in the project
area. Based on the negative findings of the archaeological testing program,
CRM TECH recommends to the City of La Quinta that issuance of grading
and building permits for the proposed development project will have No
Effect on any "historical resources," as defined by CEQA. No further cultural
resources investigation is recommended for the proposed project unless
project plans undergo such changes as to include areas not covered by this
study. However, if buried cultural materials are encountered during
construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a
qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds.
.... ; _ 017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ................................
INTRODUCTION....................................................
BACKGROUND......................................................
GEOLOGICAL SETTING ........................................
METHODS................................................................
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
..........................................................................
........................................................................ ]
..--- ..........................7
....................................... I.....
Trench1.........................................................................
Trench 1 Pot Hole, South End ....................................
Trench 1 Pot Hole, North End ....................................
Trench2.........................................................................
Trench 2 Pot Hole, West End ......................................
Trench 2 Pot Hole, East End .......................................
INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION .......................
CONCLUSION.................................................................
REFERENCES...................................................................
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1. Project vicinity.....................................................................................................................
Figure2. Project area.........................................................................................................................:
Figure 3. Location of the trenches in the project area...................................................................`
Figure 4. Sidewall profile of Trench 1..............................................................................................E
Figure 5. Sidewall profile of Trench 2..............................................................................................E
ii 018
INTRODUCTION
In December, 2000, at the request of the Bison Hotel Group, LLC, CRM TECH preformed a
limited archaeological testing program on Tentative Parcel No. 29909 in the City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California (Fig. 1). The subject property of the study consists of
a portion of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 6, T6S R7E, San
Bernardino Base Meridian, located between Desert Circle Drive and Avenida Bermudas,
north of Calle Tampico (Fig. 2). The study is part of the environmental review process for
a proposed subdivision and commercial development project to be undertaken on the
property, as required by the City of La Quinta, Lead Agency for the project, in compliance
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; PRC §21000, et seq.) and with Title
of the City of La Quinta Municipal Code (Historic Preservation). The purpose of the study
is to assist the City in assessing the project area's sensitivity for subsurface archaeological
deposits and thereby determining the necessity for archaeological monitoring during
future earth -moving activities. The following report is a complete account of the methods,
results, and final conclusion of the study.
BACKGROUND
Between August and September, 2000, CRM TECH performed a Phase I cultural resources
study on the subject property (Love et al. 2000). That study consisted of a historical/
archaeological resources records search, a historical background review, and an intensive-
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0 112 1 mile
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 feet`,_'
Figure 2. Project area. (Based on USGS La Quinta, Calif., 1:24,000 quadrangle, 1980 edition)
2 020
level field survey of the project area. Through the various avenues of research employed
during that study, CRM TECH did not encounter any buildings, structures, sites, or other
potential "historical resources," as defined by CEQA, within or adjacent to the project area
and recommended that the City of La Quinta might reach a finding of No Impact regarding
cultural resources (ibid.).
On October 19, 2000, during a regular meeting of the City of La Quinta's Historic
Preservation Commission, the Phase I archaeological study of the subject property was
reviewed. During that meeting, grading, scraping and trenching, and the archaeological
monitoring of these activities were discussed. As a result of these discussions, the Historic
Preservation Commission adopted a motion recommending approval of the Phase I
Historic/Archaeological Resources Survey for the proposed project with the added
condition that the applicant, namely Bison Hotel Group, "prepare a Phase II study
consisting of test trenches as appropriate to determine if monitoring is necessary" (HPC
2000:6).
In order to comply with this added condition, Bison Hotel Group contracted with CRM
TECH to conduct test trenching on the property. After reviewing the grading plans for the
subject property, CRM TECH determined, in consultation with the City of La Quinta, that
two backhoe trenches, placed in the areas where the deepest cuts would be made, would
provide proper testing of the property for subsurface cultural deposits. These procedures
were carried out on December 13, 2000.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The project area is located in the Coachella Valley, which occupies the northwestern
portion of the Colorado Desert Geomorphic province (Jenkins 1980:40-41). The Colorado
Desert province is bounded on the southwest side by the Peninsular ranges province, on
the north by the eastern Transverse Ranges province, and on the northeast by the
southern portion of the Mojave Desert province (ibid.). From this portion of the Coachella
Valley, the Colorado Desert Geomorphic province widens to the southeast through the
Imperial Valley and into Mexico.
One of the major features to be found within the Colorado Desert province is the Salton
Trough, a 290-km (180-mile) long structural depression containing the present day Salton
Sea. This depression extends from the Banning Pass area southward into Mexico. During
Pleistocene and Holocene times, the northwestern portion of this trough was filled with
over 4,000 feet of sediments (Proctor 1968). While the term "Salton Trough" refers to the
entire structural depression from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Gulf of California, the term
"Salton Basin" is used to describe that portion of the area that drains directly into the Salton
Sea. The Salton Sea, therefore, occupies the Salton Basin portion of the Salton Trough.
Holocene Lake Cahuilla occupied a much larger portion of the Salton Basin than that of the
present day Salton Sea (Rogers 1965). The shoreline of the last ancient lake to fill the basin
can be seen today as a line along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains at a elevation of
about 42 feet above sea level (Waters 1980; Wilke 1978; personal observations). The lake i_=
known to have had a re-entrant, or embayment, in the area of present-day La Quinta
(Rogers 1965).
3 021
The surface soil in the project area has been mapped as Is (Knecht 1980:Map Sheet 11). This
is part of the Indio Series soils, in particular the Indio very fine sandy loam (Knecht 1980:20
21). This very fine sandy loam is shown to be highly micaceous, to be stratified with silt
and silty loam, and to commonly contain freshwater shells (ibid.). The Is portion of the
Indio Series soils is shown on map sheets to be confined almost exclusively to areas that
were under water when Holocene Lake Cahuilla was present.
15t:Y-1I a [i71"
On December 13, 2000, CRM TECH archaeologists Harry M. Quinn and Adrian Sdnchez
Moreno (see App. 1 for qualifications) directed and monitored the trenching operations on
the subject property. Two 50-meter long trenches were excavated with a rubber -tired
backhoe to investigate the potential for subsurface cultural remains. The soil was visually
inspected as it was excavated and piled along the side the trench. As previously
determined, one trench (Trench 1) was placed in the area of the proposed tennis courts and
the other (Trench 2) in the area of the proposed building pad (Fig. 3). The trenches were
staked at 50-meter lengths and excavated to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters. After each
trench was dug, the backhoe was used to pot -hole to a depth of 2.5 meters or more at each
end of the trench. The soil from these pot holes was visually inspected during excavation
and the side walls examined from the surface. Detailed stratigraphic information from
each trench was then recorded at one -meter intervals along the length of the trenches.
Information from the pot holes was also recorded.
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
IVI-401a m
The area where Trench 1 was placed contains a moderate growth of low brush, :mainly salt
bush and salt cedar, and several piles of trash. Therefore, to aid in the trenching, the
surface was bladed to remove the trash piles and brush before digging the trench. Trench
1 was a north -south trench excavated in the area of the proposed tennis courts. This trenct
was 52 meters long and reached a maximum depth of 1.5 meters. The trench was profiled
from south to north at 1 meter intervals. Because of the graded surface, the trench profile
was drawn using this level surface as its datum.
This trench had a surface zone of disturbed soil and trash concentrations (Fig. 4). The trash
was mainly from agriculture and construction, but did have some household items. This
zone had a maximum depth of 60 cm and the areas of concentrated trash and disturbed
areas are shown as separate zones on the trench sidewall profile (Fig. 4).
Below these disturbed zones was a layer of hard silty clay (Fig. 4). This silty clay layer
extended the full length of the trench. It was massive and basically devoid of any
depositional structures. At about 26 meters from the south end, there was a half -meter
wide area where this silty clay extended down to the bottom of the trench, as though it
was filling a man-made trench (Fig. 4). Such a trench may have been related to early
agricultural practices and, if so, would indicate a recent age for this silty clay zone.
022
Ll
i.v .y,
a=EMCM� 0 ft
Figure 3. Location of the trenches in the project area, in relation to the proposed construction.
5 023
Trash50 m 52 m
,
zone s 2 n
Sit Cie North
Fluvial sand '- end
Silty —
sand
South end North end
Om 3m 49m 52m
T
Sit Cta
Rip -Silty sand
ilty clayot holes at
nd of trench
Figure 4. Sidewall profile of Trench 1 and the pot holes at each end, showing the various strata present at
this location.
6 024
Below the zone of silty clay were layers of sandy silt and silty sand (Fig. 4). A sandy silt
layer was present in the south and north portions of the trench, but not in the middle. This
layer was also rather massive, but in a few places exhibited a thin bedded horizontal relic
structure.
Below the sandy silt, and possibly interfingering with it, was a zone of fine to very fine-
grained micaceous silty sand (Fig. 4). This zone is massive with no depositional structures
noted in the trench walls. The sand has a dune sand composition, but the lack of cross -
bedding indicates that it is not dune -formed. Rather, it is most likely dune sand that settled
to the bottom of ancient Lake Cahuilla after being blown there. The lack of bedding is
probably due to bioturbation, root growth, or both. However, no shell fragments of any
kind were found in this layer and the sand did not have the characteristic blotches of
limonite stain commonly associated with rotted plant debris. In the central portion of the
trench this zone was in direct contact with the overlying silty clay. Below the sil ty sand
were some discontinuous zones of silty clay (Fig. 4). These were present mainly in the
middle portion of the trench.
The most interesting feature found in Trench 1 was a zone of fluvial sand in the northern
end of the trench. This was a clean, medium- to coarse -grained sand with thin horizontal
depositional structures. It had been deposited in a charnel that had cut into the sandy silt
and silty sand zones and then was later covered by the silty clay zone (Fig. 4). This also
suggests a more recent age for the silty clay zone.
TRENCH 1 POT HOLE, SOUTH END
The pot hole at the south end of Trench 1 was excavated to a maximum depth of 3.1 meter:
(also shown in Fig. 4). This excavation found that the silty sand continues to the bottom of
the pot hole, with only a few scattered thin silty clay interbeddings (Fig. 4). The sand was
massive and had the same characteristics described above. A horizontal bedding pattern
for the sand is indicated by the silty clay interbeddings. These interbeddings also indicate a
lacustrine origin for the sand.
TRENCH 1 POT HOLE, NORTH END
The pot hole at the north end of Trench 1 was excavated to a maximum depth of 2.5 meter;
(also shown in Fig. 4). This excavation revealed that the silty sand present below the
scoured zone continues to the bottom of the pot hole, with only a few scattered thin silty
clay interbeddings and some scattered silty clay rip -ups in the upper part (Fig. 4). The sand
was massive and had the same characteristics as those described for the pot hole at the
south end. A horizontal bedding pattern for the sand is indicated by the silty clay
interbeddings. While the silty clay interbeddings support a lacustrine origin, the silty clay
rip -ups are more indicative of fluvial deposits.
TRENCH 2
Trench number 2 was an east -west trending trench excavated in the area of the proposed
hotel building pad. It was dug through a surface mesquite dune that had developed on tof
of a hard silty clay zone. The trench was almost 51 meters long, and had a maximum
depth of 1.5 meters. The surface of the dune was very irregular, but the surface at the top
of the hard silty clay zone was nearly flat from one end of the trench to the other. The
trench measurements were taken from the surface, while the trench sidewall profile was
drawn using the top of the silty clay layer for a datum (Fig. 5).
7 025
5m
0m
West Mes u
end '
Sand. silt
Silty clay
10 m 15 m
>ralie�ae.zgne `, Maqutedl
Datum `.
Ime Sandy silt Silty clay
a
Silty clay
20 m 25 m
Mesquite dun@ '
Datum''
line Silty clay
30 im
30 m ss ,,, 40 m
East end
50m 51m
7-7
DatumT Mesquite dune
line
Silty clay
0 2m
50 m
0 m West end East 51 m
3m 48m
MBSgltltBdune Datum Mesquit8.dune
A
y line Sil clay
ltSilty clay Sandy silt
Silty sand
Figure 5. Sidewall profile of Trench 2 and the pot holes at each end, showing the various strata present at
this location.
026
R
The mesquite dune sands exposed in the surface soils of this trench were, as is typical, a
very micaceous silty sand with occasional cross -bedding and areas of thin horizontal
bedding. The dune surface had been cleared, however, with the mesquite cut off just
above the surface. The mesquite stumps in the western portion had no new growth, while
those in the eastern portion exhibited some scattered regrowth. During the trenching, it
was noted that, while the mesquite roots were locally abundant in the sandy zone, none of
them entered the hard silty clay zone just below the sands. It was also observed that the
sediments in the western portion of the trench were dry, while those at the eastern end
became moist at depth —probably accounting for the mesquite regrowth at the east end
and lack of it at the west end.
As mentioned, below the mesquite dune sands was a hard silty clay zone that extended
from one end of the trench to the other (Fig. 5). In three areas of the trench this zone
contained interbeddings of sandy silt (Fig. 5). Other than these sandy silt interbeddings,
this is the only material present below the dune sands in the eastern portion of the trench.
Underlying this silty clay zone at the western part of the trench was a sandy silt zone (Fig.
5). This zone apparently interfingers with it as it trends to the east (Fig. 5). As stated, this
zone is absent from the eastern portion of the trench (Fig. 5).
TRENCH 2 POT HOLE, WEST END
The pot hole at the west end of Trench 2 was excavated to a maximum depth of 2.5 meters
(also shown in Fig. 5). This pot hole found the basal silty clay zone exposed in t] le trench to
be underlain by a silty sand zone, followed by another thin silty clay stringer that is
underlain by a silty sand zone (Fig. 5). While no shell material was found, this basal silty
sand did contain limonitic staining commonly formed from rotted plant debris.
TRENCH 2 POT HOLE, EAST END
The pot hole at the east end of Trench 2 was also excavated to a depth of 2.5 meters (also
shown in Fig. 5). This pot hole found a sandy silt to underlie the silty clay exposed in the
bottom of the trench. Only the bottom 25 cm of this pot hole was a silty sand like that
found in the upper sandy zone at the western end of the trench (Fig. 5).
INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION
Based on the stratigraphy encountered during the trenching, it appears that this area was a
part of the La Quinta Embayment during the times that Holocene Lake Cahuilla existed.
As an embayment, it would have supported a varied biota of plants and mollusks. The
lack of shell material and the presence of only one sandy zone containing limonitic stains
like those created by rotted plant debris does not appear to support this stratigraphic
interpretation, however. If the water depths of the lake were too deep to support plants
and mollusks when it was full, there would have been only a very short time of plant- and
animal -supporting habitat at this location as the lake waters retreated. The massive, hard
silty clay zones encountered in the trenches were deposited in standing, or ponded, water
and also lack shell and traces of plant remains, further supporting this deep -water
hypothesis.
027
Our investigations have determined that if the project area were part of the La Quinta
Embayment, it would have been deep under water when the lake was present and an
inhospitable place to live when the lake was not present. Thus, it is not unusual that no
prehistoric cultural materials were found during the earlier Phase I survey and the Phase II
trench testing reported on here.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing report has summarized the procedures applied during the present
archaeological testing program, as well as the results and findings of the study. During the
course of the study, CRM TECH directed and monitored the excavation of two trenches on
the property. Throughout this procedure, no subsurface cultural remains were discovered
in the project area. Based on the negative findings of the archaeological testing program,
CRM TECH recommends to the City of La Quinta that issuance of grading and building
permits for the proposed development project will have No Effect on any "historical
resources," as defined by CEQA. No further cultural resources investigation is
recommended for the proposed project unless project plans undergo such changes as to
include areas not covered by this study. However, if buried cultural materials are
encountered during construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a
qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds.
10 028
REFERENCES
HPC (Historic Preservation Committee, City of La Quinta)
2000 Meeting Minutes, October 19, 2000.
Jenkins, Olaf P.
1980 Geomorphic Provinces Map of California. In California Geology, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp.
40-41. California Division of Mines and Geology Publication, Sacramento, CA.
Knecht, Arnold A.
1980 Soil Survey of Riverside County, California; Coachella Valley Area. U.S. Department
of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Report, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C.
Love, Bruce, Michael Hogan, Mariam Dandul, and Adrian Sanchez Moreno
2000 Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey Report: Embassy Suites La Quinta,
City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
Proctor, Richard J.
1968 Geology of the Desert Hot Springs -Upper Coachella Valley Area, California; With a
Selected Bibliography of the Coachella Valley, Salton Sea, and Vicinity. California Division of
Mines and Geology Special Report 94, Sacramento, CA.
Rogers, T.H.
1965 Map: Geologic Map of California, Santa Ana Sheet;1:250,000 Scale. California
Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento, CA.
Waters, Michael R.
1980 Lake Cahuilla: Late Quaternery Lacustrine History of the Salton Trough,
California. Master's thesis, University of Arizona.
Wilke, Philip J.
1978 Late Prehistoric .Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla Coachella Valley, California.
Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility,
University of California, Berkeley, CA.
11 029
APPENDIX 1:
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Bruce Love, Ph.D., RPA (Register of Professional Archaeologists)
Education
1986 Ph. D., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1981 M.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1976 B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1996 "CEQA 1.01," presented by the Association of Environmental Professionals.
1995 "CEQA Workshop," presented by Association of Environmental
Professionals.
1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites," presented by the
Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno.
1994 "CEQA 1994: Issues, Trends, and Advanced Topics," presented by UCLA
Extension.
1990 "Introduction to Federal Projects and Historic Preservation Law," presented
by U.S. General Services Administration Training Center.
Professional Experience
1993- Owner and Principal, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1990-1993 Director, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside; Coordinator,
Archaeological Information Center, UC Riverside.
1989-1990 Coordinator, Archaeological Information Center, UCLA.
1987-1990 Owner and Principal, Pyramid Archaeology, Palmdale, California.
1986-1987 Junior Fellow, Dumbarton Oaks Center for Pre -Columbian Research,
Washington, D.C.
1981-1986 Part-time cultural resources management consultant; doctoral student at
UCLA.
Memberships
Register of Professional Archaeologists.
Association of Environmental Professionals.
American Planning Association.
Society for American Archaeology.
Society for California Archaeology.
Coachella Valley Archaeological Society.
12 ,... 030
LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR/EXCAVATION CREW CHIEF
Harry M. Quinn, M.S.
BLM Cultural Resources Use Permit No. CA 99-01-013
Education
1978 Certificate in Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1968 M.S., Geology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
1964 B.S., Geology, Long Beach State College, Long Beach.
1962 A.A., Los Angeles Harbor College, Wilmington.
1996 "Cultural Resources and CEQA: Your Responsibility," presented by the
Association of Environmental Professionals, Hemet.
1991 "Ceramic Workshop," presented by Jerry Schaefer, Palm Springs.
1990 "Introduction to Coachella Valley Archaeology," presented by Anne Duffield,
Palm Desert.
1989 "Prehistoric Rock Art and Archaeology of the Southern California Deserts,"
presented by Anne Duffield, UC Riverside Extension (Course NO..ANT
X434.15), Palm Springs.
Professional Experience
1998- Project Archaeologist/Field Director, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1994-1996 Environmental Geologist, E.C.E.S., Inc., Redlands.
1992-1998 Independent Geological/Archaeological/Environmental Consultant, Pinyon
Pines.
1988-1992 Project Geologist/Director of Environmental Services, STE Associates/Soil
and Testing Engineers, San Bernardino.
1987-1988 Senior Geologist, Jirsa Environmental Services, Norco.
1986 Consulting Petroleum Geologist, Loco Exploration, Inc., Aurora, Colorado.
1978-1986 Senior Exploration Geologist, Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production,
Englewood, Colorado.
1966-1978 Exploration and Development Geologist, Texaco, Inc., Los Angeles.
Memberships
Coachella Valley Archaeological Society (President, 1993-1994; Vice President,1992, 1995-
1999; Basic Archaeology 'Training Course Instructor, 1996-1998; Environmental Assessmen
Committee Chair, 1997-1999); Coachella Valley Historical Society; Malki Museum;
Southwest Museum; El Paso Archaeological Society; Ohio Archaeological Society; Museum
of Fur Trade.
Publications in Archaeology and History
Approximately fifty articles in the publications of the Southwest Museum, the American
Rock Art Research Association, the Colorado Archaeological Society, the Utah Rock Art
Research Association, the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society, and the Coachella
Valley Historical Society.
13 _ 031
LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR/EXCAVATION CREW CHIEF
Adrian SAnchez Moreno, B.A.
Education
1999 B.A., Anthropology (with emphasis in Archaeology), University of San Diego
Professional Experience
2000- Project Archaeologist, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1999 Field Crew, excavation in Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Air Base,
Oceanside. K.E.A. Environmental, San Diego.
1999 Field Crew, excavation at Freedmen's Cemetery site in Alexandria, Virginia.
URS Greiner Woodward & Clyde.
1999 Field Crew, survey and excavation in Guerrero Negro, Mexico.
• Including identification of osteological specimens.
1999 Field Crew, excavation at Lake Chapala, Baja California, Mexico.
• Excavation and cataloguing of lithic artifacts from the oldest known site in
Baja California.
1998 Field Crew, petroglyph survey in San Pedro Atacama, Chile.
• Focusing on identification of possible habitation and petroglyph sites.
14 032
DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
JANUARY 18, 2001
HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY
AND TESTING REPORT - VISTA MONTANA
NORTHEAST CORNER OF EISENHOWER DRIVE AND
CALLE TAMPICO
KSL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
CRM TECH (BRUCE LOVE, PRINCIPAL)
The property is a nearly square 33.1 acre parcel at the north end of the "Cove" area
of the city. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources assessment and subsurface
backhoe testing has been completed for the vacant property in anticipation of a future
application for construction of a multi -use development. This assessment will be part
of the Environmental Assessment required by the California Environmental Quality Act
for the project application. The assessment includes a cultural resources record search
and field reconnaissance of the property, along with a historical background review.
DISCUSSION:
An archaeological records search for the property was conducted at the Eastern
Information Center located at UC Riverside. The records search indicated that the
study area had not been previously surveyed for cultural resources and no
archaeological sites have been recorded within or adjacent to the project area. Within
a one-half mile radius of the property eight area -specific cultural resources studies
have been conducted. As a result of these studies and a 1980's county -wide
historical resources reconnaissance, two prehistoric archaeological sites, four historic -
era structures (in the Cove from the 1930's to 1940's), and three isolates have been
identified and recorded within the one-half mile radius of the study area.
Historical background research was conducted at the Science Library Map Room at UC
Riverside an at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office in Riverside. The search
indicated that by the early 1940's one building and Eisenhower Drive and Calle
p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 vista montana.wpd �• '� - 033
Tampico existed. Some 10-15 years later, a second building and orchard (presumably
the palm grove which was recently removed) was noted.
The intensive -level on -foot field survey of the study area did not result in any
prehistoric or prehistoric sites, features, isolates, or evidence of the two buildings
which previously existed on the property.
CRM TECH excavated two 50 meter long trenches to a maximum depth of 1.8 meters
(six feet), with "pothole" trenches to a depth of 2.6 meters (8.6 feet) or more
excavated at each end of each trench. These trenches were placed in the areas of the
deepest proposed construction cuts, those being in the area of the lake at the west
and east sides. The trenching did not encounter any subsurface archaeological
deposits. The excavated soil consisted of a combination of silty clay, silty sand, and
sandy silt, but no shell, mollusks, or water plant material. The surface zone contained
scattered palm trees roots and partially decayed palm fronds and limbs. Based on the
stratigraphy of the trenching, it appears this area was a part of the deep water of
Holocene Lake La Cahuilla. The report concludes that this area was deep enough that
it was inhospitable to plant and animal life.
Based on the negative findings of the study, CRM TECH concludes that issuance of
grading permits and building permits will have no effect on any "historical resources"
as defined by CEQA. The report states that no further investigation is recornmended
unless the project area is expanded or buried cultural materials are discovered during
construction.
STAFF COMMENTS:
The Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan notes that the La Quinta
Historical Society recognizes this property as an historic residence (Hunt residence and
date ranch). The City has recognized the property as a local historic landmark as a
result of the historic survey conducted by Mellon & Associates in 1997 (Attachment
2). That survey states that the structure was the oldest ranch house in La Quinta.
This report does not include discussion on the historic significance of the residences,
the original owners, and date grove. Furthermore, there is no discussion on any
homesteading history of the property, if any. Further research to answer the above
questions is needed.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Historical/Archaeological Resources
Survey And Testing _Report - Vista Montana Development', as prepared by CRM TECH,
subject to the following condition:
pi\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 vista montana.wpd "' ' ' 034
1. Prior to issuance of a building permit for the first building on the study area the
report shall be revised to include historic significance of the residences, the
original owners, and date grove, and historical ownership of the property,
including any Homesteading.
Attachments:
1. Historical/Archaeological Resources Survey And Testing Report - Vista Montana
Development (Commissioners only)
2. Primary Record for the Hunts Date Garden
Prepared by: Submitted By:
� (b, cJ AVV7A,
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
Christine di lorio, Planning Manager
035
p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 vista montana.wpd
ATTACHMENT 1
HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY AND TESTING REPORT
VISTA MONTANA DEVELOPMENT
Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico, City of La Quinta
Riverside County, California
Submitted to:
S. Chevis Hosea, Vice President
Land and Commercial Development
KSL Development Corporation
PGA West Office
55-920 PGA Boulevard
La Quinta, California 92253
Submitted by:
Bruce Love, Principal
Bat "Tom" Tang, Historian
Harry Quinn, Archaeologist
Mariam Dandul, Archaeologist
Adrian Sanchez Moreno, Archaeologist
CRM TECH
2411 Sunset Drive
Riverside, CA 92506
January 8, 2001
CRM TECH Contract #619
Approximately 33.1 Acres
La Quinta, Calif., 7.5' Quadrangle
Section 1, T6S R6E, San Bernardino Base Meridian
036
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
In December 2000 and January 2001, at the request of Forrest K. Haag ASLA,
Inc., CRM TECH performed a cultural resources study on approximatel3' 33.1
acres of former date palm garden in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County,
California. The subject property of the study is located on the northeast
corner of Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico, consisting of a portion of the
southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 1, T6S R6E, San
Bernardino Base Meridian. The study is a part of the environmental review
process for a proposed multiple -use development project known as 'Vista
Montana, as required by the City of La Quinta, Lead Agency for the project,
pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's
Historic Preservation Ordinance. The purpose of the study is to provide the
City with the necessary information and analysis to determine whether the
proposed project would cause substantial adverse changes to any historical/
archaeological resources that may exist in or around the project area.
In order to identify and evaluate such resources, CRM TECH conducted a
cultural resources records search, a historical background review, an
intensive -level field survey, and subsurface backhoe testing. Throughout the
course of the study, CRM TECH did not encounter any buildings, structures,
sites, or other potential "historical resources," as defined by CEQA, within or
adjacent to the project area. Therefore, it is recommended that the City of La
Quinta may reach. a finding of No Impact regarding cultural resources. No
further cultural resources investigation is recommended for the proposed
project unless project plans undergo such changes as to include areas not
covered by this study. However, if buried cultural materials are encountered
during construction, all work in that area should be halted or diverted until a
qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and significance of the finds.
037
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MANAGEMENTSUMMARY............................................................................................................i
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................1
SETTING..............................................................................................................................................3
CurrentNatural Setting..................................................................................................................3
EnvironmentalOverview...........................................................................................................3
GeologicalEnvironment............................................................................................................4
CulturalSetting...............................................................................................................................4
PrehistoricContext......................................................................................................................4
HistoricContext...........................................................................................................................5
METHODS...........................................................................................................................................6
RecordsSearch.................................................................................................................................6
HistoricalResearch.........................................................................................................................6
FieldSurvey.....................................................................................................................................6
BackhoeTest Trenching .................................................................................................................6
RESULTSAND FINDINGS...............................................................................................................8
RecordsSearch Results...................................................................................................................8
HistoricalResearch Results............................................................................................................8
FieldSurvey Results.......................................................................................................................8
BackhoeTest Trenching Results.................................................................................................11
Trench1......................................................................................................................................11
Trench1 Pot Hole, North End........................................................................................:........12
Trench1 Pot Hole, South End.................................................................................................12
Trench2......................................................................................................................................12
Trench2 Pot Hole, North End.................................................................................................12
Trench2 Pot Hole, South End.................................................................................................12
Interpretation of Trenching Results........................................................................................13
DISCUSSION.....................................................................................................................................13
RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................16
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS.......................................................................17
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure1.
Project vicinity....................................................................................................................I
Figure2.
Project area..........................................................................................................................
Figure 3.
View of the current setting of the project area..............................................................3
Figure 4.
Location of trenches in the project area..........................................................................7
Figure 5.
Previous cultural resources studies in the vicinity ..................................
..................:10
Figure6.
The project area in 1901.............................................................................................
Figure7.
The project area in 1903..................................................................................................10
Figure 8.
The project area in 1941..................................................................................................10
Figure 9.
The project area in the 1950s..........................................................................................10
Figure 10.
Typical sidewall profiles...............................................................................................11
ii
INTRODUCTION
In December 2000 and January 2001, at the request of Forrest K. Haag ASLA, Inc., CRM
TECH performed a cultural resources study on approximately 33.1 acres of former date
palm garden in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Fig. 1). The subject
property of the study is located on the northeast corner of Eisenhower Drive and Calle
Tampico, consisting of a portion of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of
Section 1, T6S R6E, San Bernardino Base Meridian (Fig. 2). The study is a part of the
environmental review process for a proposed multiple -use development project:, known as
Vista Montana, to be undertaken on the property. It is required by the City of La Quinta,
Lead Agency for the project, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA;
PRC §21000 et seq.) and the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Title 7, La Quinta
Municipal Code).
CRM TECH performed the present study to provide the City of La Quinta with the
necessary information and analysis to determine whether the proposed project would
cause substantial adverse changes to any historical/archaeological resources that may exist
in or around the project area, as mandated by CEQA and the City Ordinance. In order to
identify and evaluate such resources, CRM TECH conducted a cultural resources records
search, a historical background review, an intensive -level field survey, and subsurface
backhoe testing. The following report is a complete account of the methods, results, and
final conclusion of the study.
N.
>Projec't
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Figure 1. Project vicinity. (Based on USGS Santa Ana, Calif., 1:250,000 quadrangle IUSGS 19791)
1 039
w
--_IProject
area z
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Figure 2. Project area. (Based on USGS La Quinta, Calif., 1:24,000 quadrangle [USGS 19801)
z - 040
SETTING
CURRENT NATURAL SETTING
Environmental Overview
The project area is located in the Coachella Valley, on the western edge of the Colorado
Desert, which encompasses the eastern portion of Riverside County. Dictated by this
geographic setting, the subject property and its environs are marked by extremes in
temperature and aridity. 'Temperatures in the region reach over 120 degrees in summer,
and dip to near freezing in winter. Average annual precipitation is less than five inches.
The property lies at an elevation of approximately 40 feet above sea level, bordered on the
south by Calle Tampico and on the west by Eisenhower Drive. The eastern border is a dirt
road that is the continuation of Avenida Bermudas. There is an existing development on
the northern side of the project area, at a slightly higher elevation. The terrain is level, silty
sand with mesquite bushes scattered over it and a very small grove of palo verde trees in
the southwest quarter of the property. The property has been disked in the past and
ground visibility at the time of the survey was excellent (Fig. 3).
z
e
z
fr 1 a.(1 Mom`
f {
J'• ,y ,fix. ` +ems . t
Figure 3. View of the current natural setting of the project area.
3 041
Geological Environment
The Coachella Valley occupies the northwestern portion of the Colorado Desert
Geomorphic province (Jenkins 1980:40-41). The Colorado Desert province is bounded on
the southwest by the Peninsular ranges province, on the north by the eastern Transverse
Ranges province, and on the northeast by the southern portion of the Mojave Desert
province (ibid.). The province widens to the southeast through the Imperial Valley and into
Mexico.
One of the major features to be found within the Colorado Desert province is the Salton
Trough, a 290-kilometer-long (ca. 180 miles) structural depression containing the present-
day Salton Sea. This depression extends from the Banning Pass area southward into
Mexico. During Pleistocene and Holocene times, the northwestern portion of this trough
was filled with over 4,000 feet of sediments (Proctor 1968). While the term "Salton Trough"
refers to the entire structural depression from the San Gorgonio Pass to the Gulf of
California, the term "Salton Basin'' is used to describe that portion of the area that drains
directly into the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea, therefore, occupies the Salton Basin portion of
the Salton Trough.
Holocene Lake Cahuilla occupied a much larger portion of the Salton Basin than the
present-day Salton Sea (Rogers 1965). The shoreline of the last ancient lake to Bill the basin
can be seen today as a line along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains at an elevation of
about 42 feet above sea level (Waters 1980; Wilke 1978). The lake is known to have had a
re-entrant, or embaymen.t, in the area of present-day La Quinta (Rogers 1965).
The surface soil in the project area has been mapped as Is (Knecht 1980:Map Sheet 11). This
is part of the Indio Series soils, in particular the Indio very fine sandy loam (Knecht
1980:20-21). This very fine sandy loam is shown to be highly micaceous, to be stratified
with silt and silty loam, and to commonly contain freshwater shells (ibid.). The Is portion of
the Indio Series soils is shown on map sheets to be confined almost exclusively to areas that
were under water when Holocene Lake Cahuilla was present.
CULTURAL SETTING
Prehistoric Context
The Coachella Valley is a historical center of Native American settlement, where a large
number of Indian villages and rancherias, occupied by the Cahuilla people, were observed
in the mid-19th century. The Cahuilla, a Takic-speaking people of hunters and gatherers,
are generally divided by anthropologists into three groups, according to their geographic
setting: the Pass Cahuilla in the San Gorgonio Pass -Palm Springs area, the Mountain
Cahuilla in the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the Cahuilla Valley, and the
Desert Cahuilla in the eastern Coachella Valley.
The Cahuilla did not have a single name that referred to an all-inclusive tribal affiliation.
Instead, membership was in terms of lineages or clans. Each lineage or clan belonged to
one of two main divisions of the people, known as moieties. Members of clans in one
4 042
moietv had to marry into clans from the other moiety. Individual clans had villages, or
central places, and territories they called their own, for purposes of hunting game,
gathering food, or utilizing other necessary resources. They interacted with other clans
through trade, intermarriage, and ceremonies.
Population data prior to European contact are almost impossible to obtain, but estimates
range from 3,600 to as high as 10,000 persons. During the 19th century, however, the
Cahuilla population was decimated as a result of European diseases, most notably
smallpox, for which the Native peoples had no immunity. Today, Native Americans of
Desert Cahuilla heritage are mostly affiliated with one or more of the Indian reservations in
the Coachella Valley, including Torres Martinez, Augustine, Agua Caliente, Cabazon, and
Morongo.
Historic Context
In 1823-1825, Jose Romero, Jose Maria Estudillo, and Romualdo Pacheco, leading an
expedition in search of a route to Yuma, became the first noted European explorers to
travel through the Coachella Valley. However, due to its harsh environment, few non -
Indians ventured into the desert valley during the Mexican and early American periods,
except those who traveled across it along the established trails. The most important among
these trails was the Cocomaricopa Trail, an ancient Indian trading route that was
"discovered" in 1862 by William David Bradshaw and became known after that as the
Bradshaw Trail. In the Coachella Valley, this historic wagon road traversed a course that is
very similar to today's Highway 111. During the 1860s-1870s, the Bradshaw Trail served as
the main thoroughfare between coastal southern California and the Colorado River, until
the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876-1877 brought an end to its heyday.
Non -Indian settlement in the Coachella Valley began in the 1870s, with the establishment
of railroad stations along the Southern Pacific Railroad, and spread further in the 1880s,
after public land was opened for claims under the Homestead Act, the Desert Land Act,
and other federal land laws. Farming became the dominant economic activity in the valley,
thanks to the development of underground water sources, often in the form of artesian
wells. But it was not until the completion of the Coachella Canal in 1948-1949 that farmers
in the and region obtained an adequate and reliable water supply. The main agricultural
staple in the Coachella Valley, the date palm, was first introduced around the turn of the
century. By the late 1910s, the date palm industry had firmly established itself, giving the
region its celebrated image of "the Arabia of America." Starting in the 1920s, a new
industry, featuring equestrian camps, resort hotels, and eventually country clubs, gradually
spread throughout the Coachella Valley, and since then transformed it into southern
California's leading winter retreat.
In present-day City of La Quinta, the earliest settlement and land development activities
did not occur until the turn of the century. In 1926, with the construction of the La Quinta
Hotel, the development of La Quinta took on the character of a winter resort town, typical
of the desert communities along Highway 111. Beginning in the early 1930s, the
subdivision of the cove area of La Quinta and the marketing of "weekend homes" further
emphasized this new direction of development. On May 1, 1982, La Quinta was
incorporated as the 19th city in Riverside County.
043
METHODS
RECORDS SEARCH
CRM TECH archaeologist Michael Hogan (see App. 1 for qualifications) conducted the
historical/archaeological resources records search at the Eastern Information Center (EIC),
located at the University of California, Riverside. During the records search, Hogan
examined maps and records on file at the EIC for previously identified cultural resources
inside or within a half -mile radius of the project area, and existing cultural resources
reports pertaining to the vicinity. Previously identified cultural resources include
properties designated as California Historical Landmarks, Points of Historical Interest, or
Riverside County Landmarks, as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic
Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the California Historical Resource
Information System.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Historical background research for this study was conducted by CRM TECH historian Bai
"Tom" Tang (see App. 1 for qualifications) on the basis of published literature in local and
regional history and historic maps depicting the La Quinta area. Among maps consulted
for this study were the U.S. General Land Office's (GLO) township plat maps dated 1903-
1905, and the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) topographic maps dated 1904, 1941, and
1959. These maps are collected at the Science Library of the University of California,
Riverside, and/or the California Desert District of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management,
also located in Riverside.
FIELD SURVEY
On December 13, 2000, lead archaeological surveyors Harry M. Quinn and Adridn Sanchez
Moreno (see app. 1 for qualifications) completed the intensive -level on -foot survey of the
project area. During the survey, Quinn and Moreno walked parallel east -west transects
spaced 15 meters (ca. 50 feet) apart over the entire area, and carefully inspected the ground
surface for any evidence of human activities dating to the prehistoric or historic periods
(i.e., 50 years ago or older).
BACKHOE TEST TRENCHING
On January 2 and 3, 2001, Quinn and Moreno directed and monitored the trenching
operations on the subject property to investigate the potential for subsurface cultural
remains. Two 50-meter-long (170 feet) trenches were excavated to a maximum depth of 1.8
meters (6 feet) on the property. The soil from these trenches was visually inspected as it
was excavated and piled along the side the trenches. One trench (Trench 1) was in the area
of the proposed western lake and the other (Trench 2) in the area of the proposed eastern
lake (Fig. 4). Detailed stratigraphic information from each trench was recorded along the
length of the trenches. After straticgraphic information from each trench was recorded, the
backhoe dug a "pot hole" to a depth of 2.6 meters(8.6 feet) or more at each end of each
trench to look for any deeper cultural deposits. The soil from these pot holes was also
visually inspected as it was excavated, the side walls examined from the surface, and
stratigraphic information recorded.
044
Approximate, project boundary
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Figure 4. Location of trenches in the project area, adapted from the Use Permit Site Plan. Trenches were
placed where deep excavations for future lakes are planned.
7 045
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS
According to records on file at the Eastern Information Center, the project area was not
previously surveyed for cultural resources, and no archaeological sites or other potential
historical resources have been recorded within or adjacent to the project area. Within a
half -mile radius of the project area, eight area -specific cultural resources studies have been
conducted on various parcels of land or linear features (Fig. 5). As a result of these studies
and a 1980s county -wide historical resources reconnaissance, two prehistoric
archaeological sites, four historic -era structures, and three isolates have been identified and
recorded within the half -mile radius. The archaeological sites consist of ceramic and lithic
scatters, habitation debris, and one cremation. The four historic -era structures are
buildings in the cove area of La Quinta that date to the 1930s-1940s. None of these
previously recorded cultural resources is located in the immediate vicinity of the project
area, and thus none of them requires further consideration during this study.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH RESULTS
Historic maps consulted for this study indicate that, as with the La Quinta area in general,
the project area remained. largely untouched by human activities in the early 1900s (Figs. 6,
7). At that time, the only man-made feature in the general vicinity was a road that
traversed along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, approximately a mile to the east of
the project area (ibid.). Judging from its course, this road was undoubtedly a part of the
historic Cocomaricopa-Bradshaw Trail (Johnston 1987:115).
By the early 1940s, in the wake of the advent of the La Quinta Hotel and the cove
development, the project area and its environs had taken on a very different look. The
project area, on the northern edge of the budding town of La Quinta, now hosted a
building and two roads that intersected nearby, and both present-day Eisenhower Drive
and Calle Tampico had been laid out along the project boundaries (Fig. 8). Some 10-15
years later, two buildings were observed within the project area, surrounded by an orchard
that extended across the entire area (Fig. 9), presumably the date palm garden that still
occupied portions of the property until recently. All of the date palms have since been
removed, and neither of the buildings left any identifiable remains to be discovered today,
as noted during the field survey for this study (see below).
FIELD SURVEY RESULTS
The results of the field survey are negative. During the survey, palm fronds were observed
scattered over most of the southern portion of the project area, and a concentration of
domestic trash and some concrete rubble was noted in the same area. The trash was
determined to be less than 50 years old and of no historical/archaeological interest. At the
locations of the buildings recorded in the 1940s-1950s, the field survey encountered no
foundations, footings, construction debris, or any other tangible remains that could be
considered an archaeological site. In sum, no buildings, structures, objects, sites, features,
artifacts, or other evidence of historic or prehistoric human activities were found anywhere
within the project area during the walk -over field inspection.
. 046
Scope of
records
search
L
aw-
lProject�
area
5 8;
7-
Ila Quinta
Areas previously
surveyed
Linear surveys
4,
SCALE 1:24,000
1000 0 1000 2000
feet
r.
Figure 5. Previous cultural resources studies in the vicinity of the project area, listed by EIC manuscript file
number. Locations of known cultural resources are not shown as a protective measure.
047
M
r m Project
area
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Figure 6. The project area in 1901. (Source: USGS Figure 7. The project area in 1903. (Source: GLO
1904) 1903;1905)
1! 1
.211
Project
j� area
1 La
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12
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-
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-
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0 1 mile
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Figure S. The project area in 1941. (Source: USGS Figure 9. The project area in the 1950s. (Source:
1941) USGS 1959)
Ito'
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BACKHOE TEST TRENCHING RESULTS
Results from the two test trenches and four pot holes are presented here. Profile drawings
of a typical portion of a trench sidewall and of a typical pot hole side wall are included to
provide a reference for the stratigraphic layers discussed below (Fig. 10).
Trench 1
Trench 1 had a surface zone of disturbed soil containing a few scattered palm roots and
scattered surface concentrations of partially decayed palm fronds and limbs. This was the
primary agricultural soil zone and consisted mainly of a fine sandy loam. It had an
undulating basal contact and a maximum thickness of 60 centimeters.
Below this disturbed zone was a silty sand at the north end and a silty clay from about the
12-meter mark to the south end of the trench. It is basically devoid of any depositional
structures. This zone had common scattered palm roots and local concentrations of these
roots along the base, just above the silty clay.
Below the disturbed zone at the north end and under the silty clay is a silty sand. zone that
changes into a sandy silt near the south end.
Below the silty sand/sandy silt zone is a silty clay that extends nearly the entire length of
the trench. This is the basal zone from about the 6-meter mark south to near the end of the
trench. At the northern end of the trench this silty clay zone is underlain by a silty sand.
Typical pot hole Typical trench
sidewall profile sidewall profile
-- OM
Disturbed zone
l Disturbed zone
Silty day
� Silty clay r
Sandy silt i m Silty sand _
Silty clay
Sdry clay
2m
Silty sand
3m
Figure 10. Sidewall profiles of a portion of a trench and of one of the potholes.
11 049
Trench 1 Pot Hole, North End
The pot hole at the north end of the trench was excavated to a maximum depth of 3 meters
(10 feet). This excavation found the silty sand that was exposed in the bottom of the trench
extending down to the 3-meter mark. Of interest here was a cut -and -fill structure exposed
in the wall at the extreme north end of the trench. This feature was filled with an off white
sand that appeared to be crossbedded. This sand appears to be of fluvial origin. Most of
the silty sand exposed below the silty clay is rather massive with a few flat, nearly parallel
silty clay stringers. This sandy zone appears to be lacustrine in origin, containing a few
scattered limonitic stains indicative of decayed plant debris, and had some scattered palm
roots.
Trench 1 Pot Hole, South End
The pot hole excavated at the south end of the trench was excavated to a maximum depth
of 3 meters (10 feet). This excavation found that the sandy silt exposed at the base of the
trench was underlain by a thin silty clay and then by silty sand to at least 3 meters. The
zone appears to be massive with no clear sedimentary structures visible and had no palm
roots.
Trench 2
Trench 2 had a surface zone of disturbed soil that contained a few scattered citrus roots in
the northern portion and some scattered palm roots throughout and clustered palm roots
along the basal contact. This was a hard silty clay soil and not a fine sandy loam like that
encountered in Trench 1.
Below this disturbed zone was a silty clay that extended the entire length of the trench. In
two areas there was a thin layer of clayey silt between the disturbed zone and the silty clay
zone. This silty clay zone was the basal zone exposed from the 21-meter mark to the south
end of the trench. Below this silty clay in the northern portion of the trench is a silty sand.
Trench 2 Pot Hole, North End
The pot hole excavated at the north end of this trench was dug to a maximum depth of 2.6
meters (8.6 feet) before the end caved in. This excavation found that the silty sand exposed
in the bottom of the trench extended down to the bottom of the pot hole. This silty sand
zone contained two mappable thin silty clay stringers and a few scattered limonitic stains
like those found from rotted plant debris. This material appears to be of lacustrine origin.
Trench 2 Pot Hole, South End
The pot hole at the south end of this trench was dug to a maximum depth of 3.1 meters
(10.2 feet). This excavation found that the silty clay exposed in the bottom of the trench
extended to 1.6 meters (5.3 feet) turning to silty sand from there to total depth. The zone
appears to be massive with no clear sedimentary structures visible and no palm roots.
12 050
Interpretation of Trenching Results
Based on the stratigraphy encountered during the trenching, it appears that this area was a
part of the La Quinta Embayment during the times that Holocene Lake Cahuilla. existed. If
it were a shallow embayment, it would have supported a varied biota of plants .and
mollusks. The lack of shell material and the presence of only one sandy zone containing
limonitic stains like those created by rotted plant debris suggests that the water depths of
the lake were too deep to support plants and mollusks when it was full. There would have
been only a very short time of plant- and animal -supporting habitat at this location as the
lake waters retreated. The massive, hard silty clay zones encountered in the trenches were
deposited in standing, or ponded, water and also lack shell and traces of plant remains,
further supporting this deep -water hypothesis.
As the lake receded, the barren silts and sands would have been a waterless, inhospitable
place. Thus, it is not unusual that no prehistoric cultural materials were found during the
current survey and trench testing.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study is to identify any cultural resources within or adjacent to the
project area, and to assist the City of La Quinta in determining whether such resources
meet the official definitions of "historical resources," as provided in the California Public
Resources Code, in particular CEQA.
According to PRC §5020.1(j), "'historical resource' includes, but is not limited to, any object,
building, site, area, place, record, or manuscript which is historically or archaeologically
significant, or is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic,
agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California." More
specifically, CEQA guidelines state that the term "historical resources" applies to any such
resources listed in or determined to be eligible for listing in the California Register of
Historical Resources, included in a local register of historical resources, or determined to be
historically significant by the Lead Agency (Title 14 CCR §15064.5(a)(1)-(3)).
Regarding the proper criteria for the evaluation of historical significance, CEQA guidelines
mandate that "a resource shall be considered by the lead agency to be 'historically
significant' if the resource meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of
Historical Resources" (Title 14 CCR §15064.5(a)(3)). A resource may be listed in the
California Register if it meets any of the following criteria:
(1) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
of California's history and cultural heritage.
(2) Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.
(3) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses
high artistic values.
(4) Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
(PRC §5024.1(c))
13 051
A local register of historical resources, as defined by PRC §5020.1(k), "means a list of
properties officially designated or recognized as historically significant by a local
government pursuant to a local ordinance or resolution." For properties within the City of
La Quinta, the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance (Title 7, La Quinta Municipal Code)
provides for the establishment of a historic resources inventory as the official local register.
A historic resource may be considered for inclusion in the historic resources inventory
based on one of more of the following:
A. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political,
aesthetic, engineering or architectural history; or
B. It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history; or
C. It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction,
is a valuable example of the use of the indigenous materials or craftsmanship or is
representative of a notable work of an acclaimed builder, designer or architect; or
D. It is an archaeological, paleontological, botanical, geological, topographical, ecological or
geographical site which has the potential of yielding information of scientific value; or
E. It is a geographically definable area possessing concentration of sites, buildings,
structures, improvements or objects linked historically through location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling and/or association, in which the collective value of the
improvements may be greater than the value of each individual improvement. (L(-.WlC
§7.06.020)
As stated above, development activities were evident in the project area at least by 1941,
and virtually the entire area was cultivated as a date palm garden until recently. However,
all remnants of these developments have been removed today, and the buildings observed
in the project area in the 1940s-1950s left no identifiable remains to be found. Furthermore,
the subsurface testing on the property did not detect any buried cultural deposits or a
likelihood of such finds. In short, the archaeological field procedures implemented during
this study encountered no buildings, structures, objects, sites, features, or artifacts more
than 50 years of age within the project boundaries. Therefore, in light of the criteria listed
above, this study concludes that no historical resources exist within or adjacent to the project
area.
RECOMMENDATIONS
CEQA establishes that "a project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the
environment" (PRC §21084.1). "Substantial adverse change," according to PRC 135020.1(q),
'.means demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of an
historical resource would be impaired."
Since no historical resources were encountered during the course of this study, CRM TECH
offers the following recommendations to the City of La Quinta:
No historical resources exist within or adjacent to the project area, and therefore no
substantial adverse change to a historical resource will be caused by the project as
currently proposed.
No further cultural resources investigation is necessary for the proposed project unless
project plans undergo such changes as to include unstudied areas.
14 052
• If buried cultural materials are discovered during construction, all work in that area
should be halted or diverted until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the nature and
significance of the finds.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing report has provided background information on the project area, outlined
the methods used in the current study, and presented the results of the various ,avenues of
research. Throughout the course of the study, no historical resources, as defined above,
were encountered within or adjacent to the project area. Therefore, the City of La Quinta
may reach a finding of No Impact regarding cultural resources, with the condition that any
buried cultural materials unearthed during future development are to be examined and
evaluated by a qualified archaeologist prior to further disturbances.
15 053
REFERENCES
GLO (General Land Office, U.S. Department of the Interior)
1903 Plat Map: Township No. 6 South Range No. 7 East, San Bernardino Meridian,
California; surveyed in 1903.
1905 Plat Map: Township No. 6 South Range No. 6 East, San Bernardino Meridian,
California; surveyed in 1903.
Jenkins, Olaf P.
1980 Geomorphic Provinces Map of California. In California Geology, Vol. 32, No. 2,
pp. 40-41. California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento.
Johnston, Francis J.
1987 The Bradshaw Trail; revised edition. Historical Commission Press, Riverside.
Knecht, Arnold A.
1980 Soil Snrvey of Riverside County, California; Coachella Valley Area. U.S. Department
of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Report. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C.
Proctor, Richard J.
1968 Geology of the Desert Hot Springs -Upper Coachella Valley Area, California; With a
Selected Bibliography of the Coachella Valley, Salton Sea, and Vicinity. Special Report 94.
California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento.
Rogers, T.H.
1965 Map: Geologic Map of California, Santa Ana Sheet (1:250,000). California
Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento.
USGS (United States Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior)
1904 Map: Indio, Calif. (30', 1:125,000); surveyed in 1901.
1941 Map: Toro Peak, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1941.
1959 Map: Palm Desert, Calif. (15', 1:62,500); aerial photographs taken in 1954; field
checked in 1957 and 1959.
1979 Map: Santa Ana, Calif. (1:250,000); 1959 edition revised.
1980 Map: La Quinta, Calif. (75, 1:24,000);1959 edition photo -revised in 1978.
Waters, Michael R.
1980 Lake Cahuilla: Late Quaternary Lacustrine History of the Salton Trough,
California. Master's thesis, University of Arizona.
Wilke, Philip J.
1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla Coachella Valley, California.
Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility.
University of California, Berkeley.
16 054
APPENDIX 1:
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Bruce Love, Ph.D., RPA (Register of Professional Archaeologists)
Education
1986 Ph. D., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1981 M.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1976 B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1996 "CEQA 101," presented by the Association of Environmental Professionals.
1995 "CEQA Workshop," presented by Association of Environmental Professionals.
1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites," presented by the
Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno.
1994 "CEQA 1994: Issues, Trends, and Advanced Topics," presented by UCLA
Extension.
1990 "Introduction to Federal Projects and Historic Preservation Law," presented
by U.S. General Services Administration Training Center.
Professional Experience
1993- Owner and Principal, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1990-1993 Director, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside; Coordinator,
Archaeological Information Center, UC Riverside.
1989-1990 Coordinator, Archaeological Information Center, UCLA.
1987-1990 Owner and Principal, Pyramid Archaeology, Palmdale, California.
1986-1987 Junior Fellow, Dumbarton Oaks Center for Pre -Columbian Research,
Washington, D.C.
1981-1986 Part-time cultural resources management consultant; doctoral student at
UCLA.
Memberships
Register of Professional Archaeologists.
Association of Environmental Professionals.
American Planning Association.
Society for American Archaeology.
Society for California Archaeology.
Coachella Valley Archaeological Society.
Pacific Coast Archaeological Society.
17 055
PROJECT HISTORIAN
Bai "Tom" Tang, M.A.
Education
1988-1993 Graduate Program in Public History/Historic Preservation, UC Riverside.
1987 M.A., American History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
1982 B.A., History, Northwestern University, Xi'an, China.
2000 "Introduction to Section 106 Review," presented by the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation and the University of Nevada, Reno.
1994 "Assessing the Significance of Historic Archaeological Sites," presented by the
Historic Preservation Program, University of Nevada, Reno.
Professional Experience
1993- Project Historian, CRM TECH, Riverside, California.
1993-1997 Project Historian, Greenwood and Associates, Pacific Palisades, California.
1991-1993 Project Historian, Archaeological Research Unit, UC Riverside.
1990 Intern Researcher, California State Office of Historic Preservation,
Sacramento.
1990-1992 Teaching Assistant, History of Modern World, UC Riverside.
1988-1993 Research Assistant, American Social History, UC Riverside.
1985-1988 Research Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University.
1985-1986 Teaching Assistant, Modern Chinese History, Yale University.
1982-1985 Lecturer, History, Van Foreign Languages Institute, Xi'an, China.
Honors and Awards
1988-1990 University of California Graduate Fellowship, UC Riverside.
1985-1987 Yale University- Fellowship, Yale University Graduate School.
1980, 1981 President's Honor List, Northwestern University, Van, China.
Cultural Resources Management Reports
Preliminary Analyses and Recommendations Regarding California's Cultural Resources
Inventory System (With Special Reference to Condition 14 of NPS 1990 Program Review
Report). California State Office of Historic Preservation working paper, Sacramento,
September 1990.
Approximately 350 cultural resources management reports with the Archaeological
Research Unit, Greenwood and Associates, and CRM TECH, since October 1991.
Membership
California Preservation Foundation.
18 056
LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR/EXCAVATION CREW CHIEF
Harry M. Quinn, M.S.
BLM Cultural Resources Use Permit No. CA 99-01-013
Education
1978 Certificate in Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles.
1968 M.S., Geology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
1964 B.S., Geology, Long Beach State College, Long Beach.
1962 A.A., Los Angeles Harbor College, Wilmington.
1996 "Cultural Resources and CEQA: Your Responsibility," presented by the
Association of Environmental Professionals, Hemet.
1991 "Ceramic Workshop," presented by Jerry Schaefer, Palm Springs.
1990 "Introduction to Coachella Valley Archaeology," presented by Anne Duffield,
Palm Desert.
1989 "Prehistoric Rock Art and Archaeology of the Southern California Deserts,"
presented by Anne Duffield, UC Riverside Extension (Course No. ANT
X434.15), Palm Springs.
Professional Experience
1998- Project Archaeologist/Field Director, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1994-1996 Environmental Geologist, E.C.E.S., Inc., Redlands.
1992-1998 Independent Geological/Archaeological/Environmental Consultant, Pinyon
Pines.
1988-1992 Project Geologist/Director of Environmental Services, STE Associates/Soil
and Testing Engineers, San Bernardino.
1987-1988 Senior Geologist, Jirsa Environmental Services, Norco.
1986 Consulting Petroleum Geologist, Loco Exploration, Inc., Aurora, Colorado.
1978-1986 Senior Exploration Geologist, Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production,
Englewood, Colorado.
1966-1978 Exploration and Development Geologist, Texaco, Inc., Los Angeles.
Memberships
Coachella Valley Archaeological Society (President, 1993-1994; Vice President, 1992, 1995-
1999; Basic Archaeology Training Course Instructor, 1996-1998; Environmental Assessment
Committee Chair, 1997-1999); Coachella Valley Historical Society; Malki Museum;
Southwest Museum; El Paso Archaeological Society; Ohio Archaeological Society; Museum
of Fur Trade.
Publications in Archaeology and History
Approximately fifty articles in the publications of the Southwest Museum, the American
Rock Art Research Association, the Colorado Archaeological Society, the Utah Rock Art
Research Association, the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society, and the Coachella
Valley Historical Society.
19 057
LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR
Michael Hogan, Ph.D.
Education
1991 Ph.D., Anthropology, University of California, Riverside.
1981 B.S., Anthropology, University of California, Riverside.
1980-1981 Education Abroad Program, Lima, Peru.
1992 "Southern California Ceramics Workshop," presented by Jerry Schaefer.
1992 "Historic Artifact Workshop," presented by Anne Duffield -Stoll.
Professional Experience
1999- Project Archaeologist/Field Director, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1996-1998 Project Director and Ethnographer, Statistical Research, Inc., Redlands.
1992-1995 Project Director, Archaeological Research. Unit, University of California,
Riverside.
• Duties: supervision of all aspects of projects including communicating
with clients and/or public agencies to determine appropriate scope of
work and scheduling of tasks; arranging logistics, including
transportation, food, and lodging; organizing crew people into
appropriate tasks and directing field work; overseeing laboratory analysis
of findings, including sending samples to outside researchers for analysis
and cataloguing/organizing all data recovered by the fieldwork;
producing final reports, including background research, description of
fieldwork, discussion of study results, preparation of site records, and
formulation of final recommendations.
1991-1992 Crew Chief, Archaeological Research Unit, University of California,
Riverside.
1984-1998 Part-time technician for various cultural resources management firms,
including CRM TECH; Archaeological Research Unit, University of
California, Riverside; Cultural Resource Facility, California State University,
Bakersfield;. Greenwood and Associates; RMW Paleo Associates; and
WESTEC Services, Inc.
Publications
Author, co-author, and contributor to more than 35 archaeological publications and CRM
reports, including "Yuma Area Office Sediment Project: Contact with Native Americans"
(1998), "Early Hunter -Gathers and Historic Settlers along San Sevaine Creek: Data Recovery
Efforts at the Hunter's Ridge Community Development Project" (1998), "Continuity and
Change: 8,500 Years of Lacustrine Adaptation on the Shores of Lake Elsinore" (1.997), and
"Historic Properties Management Report for the Whittier Narrows Flood Control Basin"
(1997).
20 .... ; 0 5 8
LEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYOR
Adrian Sanchez Moreno, B.A.
Education
1999 B.A., Anthropology (with emphasis in Archaeology), University of San Diego.
Professional Experience
2000- Project Archaeologist, CRM TECH, Riverside.
1999 Field Crew, excavation in Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Air Base,
Oceanside. K.E.A. Environmental, San Diego.
1999 Field Crew, excavation at Freedmen's Cemetery site in Alexandria., Virginia.
URS Greiner Woodward & Clyde.
1999 Field Crew, survey and excavation in Guerrero Negro, Mexico.
• Including identification of osteological specimens.
1999 Field Crew, excavation at Lake Chapala, Baja California, Mexico.
• Excavation and cataloguing of lithic artifacts from the oldest known site in
Baja California.
1998 Field Crew, petroglyph survey in San Pedro Atacama, Chile.
• Focusing on identification of possible habitation and petroglyph. sites.
REPORT WRITER
Mariam Dandul, B.A.
Education
2001 (Exp.) M.A., Anthropology (specializing in Archaeology), California State
University, Fullerton.
1993 B.A., Geography, California State University, Fullerton.
Professional Experience
2000- Project Archaeologist, CRM TECH, Riverside.
Laboratory and Field Experience
1999-2000 Assisted in the catalogue and analysis of artifacts at the CSU, Fullerton
archaeology laboratory.
1999 Field survey course under the direction of Phyllisia Eisentraut; surveyed and
mapped prehistoric site in the Mojave Desert.
21 059
ATTACHMENT 2
State of California:-- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
.Primary #.;
HRI N
'Trinomial
NRHP Status, Cotle 5 5.
`. Reviewer
Page I of 1
*Resource Name or #: Hunts Date Garden
P1. Other Identifier: --
*P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ❑ Unrestricted a. County _ Riverside
b. USGS 7.5' Quad La Quints Date 1980 T 06S ; R 06E; SE 1/4 of NB/4 of Sec 1 ; __ B,M,
c. Address Eisenhower Dr. and Calle Tampico city La Quinta Zip
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear feature) Zone mE/ _ _ mN
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g. parcel #, legal description, directions to resource, elevation, additional UTMs, etc. as appropriate)
Grove is located at northeast corner of intersection of Calle Tampico and Eisenhower Drive.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries.)
The Hunts Date Garden is now abandoned, with approximately 4 acres of untended date palm grove remaining
from a former ranch. The City of La Quinta Historic Context Statement, dated September 1996, mentions an
adobe house once located on the property and demolished after 1981 without benefit of documentation. The
Statement also indicates that foundations of the house --the oldest ranch house in La Quinta, constructed in
1904--remained, but none were found during a recent site visit. Also said to exist on the property at one time
were workers housing, a storage building, and a cistern. Records indicate that local residents attended
community meetings on the patio of the house in the 1940's. The surviving date garden can be considered a
cultural landscape.
*P3b. Resources Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP33. Farm/Ranch
*P4. Resources Present: Cl Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object M Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (Isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo: (�✓iew, date, etc.)
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
❑ Prehistoric p Historic ❑ Both
1904; City of La Quints
Historic Context Statement
*P7. Owner and. Address:
P--Private _
*P8. Recorded by:(Name, affiliation, address)
Marcy Roth _
Mellon & Associates
Riverside. CA
*P9. Date Recorded: 08/01/1997
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
C--Comprehensive Survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report/other sources or "none") City of La Quinta Historic Context Statement
*Attachments: p NONE ❑ Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ❑ Continuation Sheet ❑ Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milling Station Record ❑ Rock Art Record i] Artifact Record
❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other: (List)
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information
DATE:
11iCTiA
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
JANUARY 18, 2001
CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT FOR APN 649-040-
013
EAST SIDE OF DUNE PALMS ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 500
FEET SOUTH OF WESTWARD HO DRIVE
KINGDOM HALL OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (JAMES BROCK)
The property is a rectangular 2.39 acre parcel in north La Quinta east of La Quinta
High School. A Phase I (survey level) cultural resources assessment has been
completed for the vacant property in anticipation of a future application for
construction of a Hall. This assessment will be part of the Environmental Assessment
required by the California Environmental Quality Act for the project application. The
assessment includes a records search and field reconnaissance of the property, along
with limited archival research.
DISCUSSION:
An archaeological records search for the property was conducted at the Eastern
Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System [CHRIS)
at UC Riverside. The records search indicated that the study area had not been
previously surveyed for cultural resources. Approximately 75 % of the area within a
one mile radius of the property has been previously surveyed for cultural resources
with 15 archaeological sites recorded within one-half of the study area. The only
previous survey adjacent to the property was for the La Quinta High School site to the
west and was negative for cultural resources. Within a one-half to one mile radius of
the property, at least 53 additional sites are present.
An archival search was conducted at the Science Library Map Room at UC Riverside
an at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office in Riverside. The search did not
show any cultural activity in the study area.
061
p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 jehovahs witnesses.wpd
In conclusion, the records search and background research indicated that the study
area is in a location that is highly sensitive for prehistoric resources and moderately
sensitive for historical resources.
The field survey was conducted by James Brock and did not result in any prehistoric
or prehistoric sites, features, or isolates being observed on the property. It was
evident that the property had been previously grubbed and that filling of earth had
occurred, especially in the eastern part of the site.
Although no cultural resources were observed during the field reconnaissance of the
property, the possibility of finding buried archaeological resources is there, because of
the high sensitivity for prehistoric resources in the area. Therefore, archaeological
monitoring of rough grading and major trenching is recommended by, or udder the
supervision of a Registered Professional Archaeologist, or equivalent.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2001- , accepting the "Cultural Resources Assessment for
APN 649-040-013, La Quinta, California", as prepared by Archaeological Advisory
Group, subject to the following conditions:
1 . Collected cultural/paleontological resources shall be properly packaged for long
term curation, in polyethylene sel-seal bags, vials, or film cans as appropriate,
all within acid -free, standard size, comprehensively labeled archive boxes and
delivered to the City prior to issuance of first building permit for the property.
Materials will be accompanied by descriptive catalogue, field notes and records,
primary research data, and the original graphics.
2. A final report on the monitoring shall be prepared and submitted for HPC
approval prior to final inspection of the project approved for the property
Attachment:
1 . Cultural Resources Assessment For APN 649-040-013, La Quinta, California
(Commissioners only)
Prepared by: Submitted By:
`, � ��Zq44f--6�
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
p[\stan\hpc rpt ph 1 jehovahs witnesses.wpd
Christine di lorio, Pla ning Manager
... " 062
Cultural Resources Assessment
for APN 649-040-013,
La Quinta, California
Prepared for:
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
c/o Cal -Spec
42-335 Washington Street, Suite F247
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Submitted to:
City of La Quinta
78-495 Calle Tany)ico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Prepared by:
James Brock
January 2001
Topographic Quadrangle: La Quinta, California
Acreage: 2.39
Key Words: La Quints, Negative Archaeological Survey
AAG Job No: 010101
MEN -
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP
P.O. BOX 491, PIONF.ERTOWN, CA 92268-0491
Tel: (760) 228-1142 • Fax: (760) 369-4002
E-mail: archadvgrp@aol.com
063
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
This report presents the results of a prehistoric/historical resources assessment for
the development of APN 649-040-013. The subject property comprises a 2.39-
acre parcel located on the east side of Dune Palms Road, across from La Quinta
High School, in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. A Kingdom
Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is proposed for the property. An archaeological
records search indicated that the study area had not been previously surveyed for
cultural resources, however, it did indicate that 15 archaeological sites had been
recorded within one-half mile of the study area. A systematic archaeological field
reconnaissance was conducted for this project. No new archaeological or
historical sites, features, or isolates were discovered.
Archival research indicated that the study area had been part of a 1905 railroad
patent granted to the Southern Pacific Railroad. Archival research further
indicated that no structures have previously existed on the property. The subject
property is presently a vacant lot.
The records search and archival research indicate that the study area is in a
region of high sensitivity for prehistoric resources and moderate sensitivity for
historical archaeological resources.
Archaeological monitoring of rough grading and major trenching is
recommended due to the potential of the area to contain buried archaeological
resources.
INTRODUCTION
This reports presents a Phase I (survey -level) cultural resources assessment for a proposed
2.39-acre Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses facility comprising APN 649-040-013. The
proposed development site is a rectangular -shaped parcel located east of La Quanta High
School on the east side of Dune Palms Road in the City of La Quinta, County of Riverside,
California (Figures 1 through 4). The study comprised a records search and field
reconnaissance of the property, along with limited archival research. It was conducted by
Archaeological Advisory Group for the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. The study was
undertaken in order to comply with the cultural resource requirements of the City of La
Quinta. These are intended to fulfill those aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act
of 1970 (as amended) which pertain to the management of cultural resources that may be
impacted by development projects sponsored by state or local government agencies, or by
private developments requiring a discretionary permit or license.
1
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Figure 1. General location of the study area plotted on a portion of the USGS 1:250,000 Western
United States Series Santa Ana, California map (1959, revised 1979).
065
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Figure 2. Specific location of the project area plotted on portion of the USGS 7.5' La Qu nta,
California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980).
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Figure 3. Wide-angle view of the study area from the northwest comer looking southeast.
Figure 4. Wide-angle view of the study area from the northeast comer looking southwest.
0
067
This report was prepared in accordance with the recommended contents and format
described in the State's Preservation Planning Bulletin Number 4(a) (California Department of
Parks and Recreation 1989).
The principal investigator (and sole researcher) for this study was James Brock. His
qualifications are given in Appendix 1.
Field notes and other material pertaining to this study are on file with Archaeological Advisory
Group (AAG Job No. 010101). No artifacts were observed or collected during the study.
SETTING
Location and Environmental Setting
The study area is located in the City of La Quinta, in the Coachella Valley area of Riverside
County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The 2.39-acre rectangular -shaped property is bordered on
the west by Dune Palms Road, on the north by a fenced boundary with a residential property,
and on the south by a fenced mobile home park. The western border is unmarked.
The study area falls within the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29 of
Township 5 South, Range 7 East, SBBM. This area is located on the USGS 7.5' La Quinta,
California topographic quadrangle (Figure 2).
The study area is located in a vicinity that once comprised low, semi -stable aeolian sand dunes
typical of the floor of the central Coachella Valley. Most of the surrounding area has now been
developed. Soil comprises a fine gray -brown aeolian sand that ranges from loose to well
compacted. The property is presently vacant and seems to have experienced some previous
grading and filling, particularly at the western end where fill appears to have been place to level
the parcel.
The elevation of the study area is approximately 60 feet amsl. The nearest natural source of
water is the Whitewater River one -eighth mile to the south. The study area would have been
about 20 feet higher than the northwestern shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla (the rennnants of
which are now the Salton Sea) during its last stand. The final stand of Lake Cahuilla is
estimated to have been at about 42 feet (12.8 meters) amsl. This probably occurred during the
AD 1600s (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999).
The study area is mostly denuded of vegetation. Intrusive vegetation on the lot is dominated by
rush bebbia (Bbbia juncea). Nearby vegetation includes indigo bush (Dalea emoryi), encelia
(Encelia farinosa), and creosote.(Larrea tridentata). Animal species typically encountered in
the area include pocket mouse, scorpions, Western Shovel -nosed Snake, Sidewinder, Western
Whiptail, Side -blotched Lizard, Loggerhead Shrike, Mourning Dove, Say's Phoebe, Gambel's
Quail, Common Raven, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel.
068
The study area falls within the Low Desert climatic zone. This is the driest, warmest, and
sunniest of the state's climates --it generally averages less than 5 inches of precipitation annually
and has a mean maximum temperature in July that exceeds 100' (Bailey 1966:42).
Cultural Setting
Culture History
While the ethnography of the region of the study area is fairly well understood, the prehistory
of the area is poorly understood. The sequence of prehistoric habitation presented here is based
primarily on the concordance of sequences presented by Warren (1984:409-430). This
chronology is intended to apply to the desert region of southern California in general.
Early Hunting Period
This period, sometimes referred to as the "Lake Mojave Period," represents the earliest phase of
human occupation in southern California. It began by at least 10,000 BC and lasted until
around 5000 BC. This period is characterized by the hunting of larger game animals using
spears and articulated spear -throwing devices termed "atlatls." Millingstones typically are not
present. Artifacts generally consist of items such as fluted points, crescents, specialized
scrapers, leaf -shaped knives, drills, and choppers/hammerstones. These old sites tend to occur
along Pleistocene lake shorelines in the Mojave Desert, rather than in the Coachella Valley.
Pinto Period
The Pinto Period dates from around 5000 to 2000 BC. This period corresponds roughly to the
Millingstone Horizon in the coastal area of the state and has many characteristics in common
with it. Although desert and coastal peoples shared cultural traits during this period, desert
peoples probably did not have the same dependence on milling stones as coastal peoples.
Seed grinding does not appear to be an important economic activity as yet to the desert
peoples of this period, but the presence of flat slab and occasionally shallow -basin metates
along with manos, indicates the growing importance that plant seed resources were
beginning to have. Presumably these peoples were still maintaining a large and small game
hunting and vegetal gathering economy during this period. Pinto points, as defined by
Campbell and Campbell (1935), are the distinctive lithics of this period. These are usually
found in association with heavy -keeled scrapers and milling stones.
Gypsum Period
The Gypsum Period is believed to date from around 2000 BC to about AD 500. This very
roughly corresponds with the Intermediate Period in the coastal areas of southern California.
Again, the primary artifacts indicating this period are projectile points (Humbolt series,
Gypsum Cave, And Elko series). Manus and metates become more common and the mortar and
pestle come into use --indicating a developing reliance upon fleshier seed foods such as
R
... 069
mesquite pods and acorns. The presence of Haliotis and Olivella shell beads on sites of this
period provide the earliest evidence for contacts between the desert peoples and the coastal
inhabitants (Warren 1984:419).
Saratoga Springs Period
The Saratoga Springs Period lasts from about AD 500 to 1200 and is characterized by strong
regional developments. The southern desert region, in which the Coachella Valley lies, deviates
from the rest of the desert region due to heavy cultural influence by the Patayan, a lower
Colorado River group. The Patayan influence brings results in diffusion of buffivare and
brownware pottery types, made using the paddle and anvil technique, from the Colorado River
area to the Coachella Valley by about AD 900. The bow and arrow is introduced in this period
as evidenced by the smaller Rose Spring and Eastgate styles of projectile points.
Millingstones, including manos, metates, pestles, and mortars are present in this time period.
The Pinto, Gypsum, and Saratoga Springs periods are sometimes collectively referred to as the
Archaic Period.
Late Precontact/Ethnographic Period
The bow and arrow replaces the atlatl during the Late Precontact (Late Horizon) occupation of
the region as exemplified by the appearance of new projectile point types called
Cottonwood Triangular and Desert Side -notched. The Patayan influence, represented by
brownwares and buffwares, continues.
The Desert Cahuilla are the people that are historically identified with the region of the study
area. It is likely that this group has been in the region for at least the last 1000 years. The
Cahuilla remained largely undisturbed by Hispanic and American intrusion up until the
establishment of the Southern Pacific Railroad through the region in the later half of the 19th
century. The railroad stimulated a desire by Americans for Cahuilla lands. In response to this,
President Ulysses S. Grant began allotting Cahuilla lands in 1875 to give to American settlers
and removed the Cahuilla to government reservations. Ten reservations were created that
affected the Cahuilla; of these four are in the Coachella Valley.
This late contact resulted in our gaining a greater understanding of this society than most
native cultures of California. Detailed accounts of Cahuilla lifeways can be found, for in-
stance, in Bean (1972, 1978), Strong (1929), Hooper (1920), and Kroeber (1908). Two
excellent ethnobotanical studies also exist for the Cahuilla (Barrows 1900, Bean and Saubel
1972). An archaeological study of prehistoric Cahuilla adaptation to the desiccation of
ancient Lake Cahuilla (the remains of which are now the Salton Sea) has also been done (Wilke
1978).
7
070
Previous Archaeological Research/Archival Research
An archaeological records search for the subject property was conducted by James lE3rock at
the Eastern Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System
(CHRIS) at UC Riverside on January 9, 2001.
The records search indicated that the study area had not been previously surveyed for
cultural resources. No cultural resources had been identified on the study area.
Approximately 75 percent of the property within a one -mile radius of the subject property
has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. The only previous survey that has been
adjacent to the study area consisted of a (surprisingly) negative study of the high school property
immediately to the west (Salpas 1984).
The records search further indicated that the study area is in a vicinity of high archaeological
sensitivity with high site density to the west where sites are associated with the Whitewater
River Channel and also high site density to the south and east where sites are associated with
dune fields pertaining to the ancient Lake Cahuilla.
Fifteen archaeological sites fall within one-half mile of the study area. These previously
recorded sites are described as follows:
CA-RIV-1178: Habitation area (village?) with dense surface deposits including ceramics,
chipped and ground stone, bone, and at least one cremation.
CA-RIV-2936: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with fire -affected rock, lithic debitage,
and faunal remains.
CA-RIV-3680: Prehistoric ceramic sherd scatter with clay fragments and firer
affected rock.
CA-RIV-4749H: Early 201h century homestead site with foundations and other
features.
CA-RIV-475OH: Historical and modern refuse deposit with interspersed
prehistoric ceramics.
CA-RIV-5828: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with bone and burned clay.
CA-RIV-5876: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with sparse lithics and bone.
CA-RIV-6075: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with burned clay and lithics.
CA-RIV-6190: Late prehistoric use area with possible earlier component.
CA-RIV-6219: Prehistoric use area with ceramics, burned clay, mano, scraper,
charcoal, thermally affected rock.
CA-RIV-6231: Prehistoric use area with a ceramics scatter, burned clay,
thermally affected rock, and shell.
0
071
CA-RIV-6441/H: Prehistoric use area with early 201h century component.
Contains ceramics, lithics, burned clay, charcoal, glass, metals.
CA-RIV-6442/H: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with bone, charcoal, and baked
clay.
CA-RIV-6443: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with baked clay, bone, and sparse
historical material.
CA-RIV-6444: Prehistoric ceramics scatter with charcoal.
If one considers the area falling one-half to one mile from the study area, at least 53 additional
sites are present. Based on the presence of ceramics, most of the prehistoric sites within the
one -mile radius appear to be relatively recent in date (post AD 500).
In addition to the records search, archival research was conducted on January 9, 2001 at
the Science Library Map Room at UC Riverside and at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Office in Riverside.
Historic maps examined included US General Land Office plat maps from 1856 and 1914, the
1904 USGS 30' Indio map, and the US Army Corps of Engineers' 1941 Toro Peak 1:62,500
map. The General Land Office plat maps show no cultural activity in the study area last
century. The 1856 map shows a road running east -west one -quarter of a mile below the study
area. The 1904 Indio map also shows no cultural activity in the vicinity of the study area. The
1941 Toro Peak map additionally shows no cultural activity in the vicinity of the study area.
The BLM research indicated that the study area falls within a section of land, Section 29, that
was part of a 5291.44-acre railroad land grant patented on June 30, 1905 to the Southern Pacific
Railroad (BLM Serial File 89).
As a further step in the research, the following "heritage property" registers were checked
for this tract:
The National Register of Historic Places (American Association for State and Local History
1991), California Historical Landmarks (California Department of Parks and Recreation 1990),
and California Inventory of Historic Places (California Department of Parks and Recreation
1976). Additional registers were checked during the records search at U.C. Riverside. No
historical resources listed in these publications were found to be specific to the study area
environs.
The records search and background research indicated that the study area is in a location that
is highly sensitive for prehistoric resources and moderately sensitive for historical resources.
L9
072
RESEARCH DESIGN
Due to the limited scope of this study and the fact that no specimens were collected, a formal
research design was not prepared.
METHODS/FIELDWORK DETAILS
The fieldwork for this study was conducted on January 4, 2001 by James Brock. A total of one
hour was spent on the survey of the property. The entire property was walked over in
systematic north -south transects beginning at the western end and ending at the eastern end.
Transects averaged 3 meters apart. Due to sparse vegetation, surface visibility was excellent.
No unusual conditions restricted the survey.
No prehistoric or historical sites, features, or isolates were observed on the property. No
specimens were collected during the survey.
In accordance with State Historic Preservation Office guidelines, all cultural materials,
structures, features, and objects over 45 years in age were considered for potential cultural
resource value.
FINDINGS
No cultural resources were observed on the study area during the ground surface survey.
It is evident that the property has been previously grubbed and it also appears that filling has
occurred on the property, especially in the eastern area where the property naturally sloped down
towards a small basin.
DISCUSSION/INTERPRETATION
While no cultural resources were observed during the walkover field reconnaissance of the
property, the possibility of finding buried archaeological resources can not be ruled out. The
property is in an area of high sensitivity for prehistoric resources. Prehistoric sites buried by
aeolian sand accumulation are known to exist in the La Quinta area. Sites may also have been
buried during the modern filling episodes that have previously occurred on the property in order
to bring it to a consistent level.
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Site Evaluation
Under CEQA an archaeological resource is significant if it meets one of the following criteria:
(a) it is associated with an event or person of recognized significance in California or American
history, or recognized scientific importance in prehistory; (b) it can provide information which is
both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and
10
073
reasonable archaeological research questions; (c) it has a special or particular quality such as
oldest, best example, largest, or last surviving example of its kind; it is at least 100 years old
and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity; or (e) it involves important research questions
that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods.
Additional criteria of significance is found in eligibility for the California Register of Historical
Resources (CRHP), which is based upon the criteria used for Federal undertakings whereby
resources are evaluated for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places:
A. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
history.
B. Association with the lives of persons significant in our past.
C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that
represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a
significant distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.
D. Have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or prehistory.
No potentially significant cultural/historical resources have been identified on the study area
as a result of this study.
Potential Effects
The planned development of the study area will have no effect on known cultural resources.
There is a potential for as yet unidentified, buried resources to be present.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Archaeological monitoring of rough grading and major trenching is recommended for the
project due to the potential of the area to contain buried archaeological material. The monitor
should meet the personnel qualification requirements of the City of La Quinta and should he
empowered to temporarily halt or redirect earthmoving activities should any cultural resources
be encountered. Upon discovery of a cultural resource work should stop in the vicinity of the
find and a plan of action for its evaluation and treatment should be developed in consultation
with the Community Development Department of the City of La Quinta.
REFERENCES CITED
American Association for State and Local History
1991 National Register of Historic Places. American Association for State and Local
History, Nashville.
11
074
Bailey, Harry P.
1966 Weather of Southern California. California Natural History Guides 17.
University of California Press, Berkeley.
Barrows, David P.
1900 Ethno-botany of the Coahuilla Indians. University of Chicago Press,
Chicago.
Bean, Lowell John
1972 Mukat's People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of
California Press, Berkeley.
1978 Cahuilla. In California, edited by Robert F. Heizer, pp. 575-587.
Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 8, William G. Sturtevant, general
editor. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Bean, Lowell John, and Katherine Siva Saubel
1972 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants. Malki
Museum, Banning.
Brock, James, Brenda D. Smith, and Thomas A. Wake
1999 Investigations at the Burning Dune Site (CA-RIV-4754), La Quinta, California.
AAG Monograph 1, Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
1976 California Inventory of Historic Places. California Office of Historic
Preservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento.
1989 Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended
Contents and Format. California Office of Historic Preservation, California
Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento.
1990 California Historical Landmarks. California Department of Parks and
Recreation, Sacramento.
Campbell, E.W.C., and W.H. Campbell
1935 The Pinto Basin Site: An Ancient Aboriginal Camping Ground in the
California Desert. Southwest Museum Papers 9:1-51.
Hopper, Lucille
1920 The Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American
Archaeology and Ethnology 16:316-379. Berkeley.
12
075
Kroeber, A.J.
1908 Ethnography of the Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in
American Archaeology and Ethnology 8:29-68. Berkeley.
Salpas, Jean A.
1984 An Archaeological Assessment of Tract 19987. Ms. on file, Eastern Information
Center, California Historical Resources Information System, UC Riverside.
Strong, William Duncan
1929 Aboriginal Society in Southern California. University of California Publications
in American Archaeology and Ethnology 26:1-349. Berkeley.
Warren, Claude N.
1984 The Desert Region. In California Archaeology, by Michael J. Moratto, pp. 339-
430. Academic Press, New York.
Wilke, Philip J.
1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley, California.
Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility
38, Berkeley.
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
James Brock, Principal Investigator
-BA degree in Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara
-MA degree in Archaeology, University of Durham (UK)
-RPA (on Register of Professional Archaeologists, formerly the Society of
Professional Archaeologists)
-21 years of experience as a principal investigator on cultural resource
management projects in southern and central California
13
076
DATE:
ITEM:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANT:
BACKGROUND:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
JANUARY 18, 2001
REPORT ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING FOR THE
LA QUINTA COURT PROJECT
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON STREET AND
HIGHWAY 111
G.J. MURPHY CONSTRUCTION
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (JAMES BROCK)
The property is an irregularly shaped triangular site at the southeast corner of
Washington Street and Highway 111, west of Simon Motors. A Phase I cultural
assessment survey of the 5.65 acre site was approved by the HPC on June 18, 2000,
subject to archaeological monitoring of the grading of the project. Monitoring was
required due to the high sensitivity for archaeological resources in the vicinity of the
study area.
DISCUSSION:
Monitoring was conducted over a four day period. No cultural resources were
identified on the study area during monitoring of grading.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Minute Motion 2000- , accepting :
1.) The "Report on Archaeological Monitoring for the La Quinta Court Project at the
Southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway 111. La Quinta.
California", as prepared by Archaeological Advisory Group
077
p[\stan\hpc rpt monitor se wash st & hwy 111.wpd
Attachment:
1. Report on Archaeological Monitoring for the La Quinta Court Project at the
Southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway 1 1 1, La Quinta, California
(Commissioners only)
Prepared by: Submitted By:
GbAAP� �:). 4��3ahvr,,
Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner
al"t �C�, -
Christine di lorio, Planning Manager
078
pi\stan\hpc rpt monitor se wash st & hwy 111.wpd
Report on Archaeological Monitoring for
the La Quinta Court Project,
Southeast Corner of
Washington Street and Highway 111,
La Quinta, California
Prepared jlor:
G.J. Murphy Construction
P.O. Box 1124
Palm Desert, CA 92261
Submitted to:
City of La Quanta
78-495 Calle Tampico
La Quinta, CA 92253
Prepared bv.'
James Brock
December 2000
USGS Topographic Quadrangle: La Quints, California
Acreage: Approx. 5.65
Key Words: La Quinta, CA-RIV-150, Anna Scott Lunbeck Homestead,
Negative Archaeological Monitoring
AAG Job No: 000920
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP
P.O. BOX 491, PIONEERTOWN, CA 92268-0491
Tel: (760) 228-1142 • Fax: (760) 369-1002
E-mail: archadvgrp@aol.com
079
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
This report presents the results of archaeological monitoring during grading;
activities pertaining to the development of a 5.65-acre property at the southeast
corner of the intersection of Washington Street and Highway 111 in the City of
La Quinta, California. A commercial development, termed the "La Quinta
Court," is being undertaken on the property.
The Phase I archaeological survey report (Brock 2000) indicated that the property
had once been included within the area of a large site designated CA-RIV-150'.
The area of CA-RIV-150 was later reduced to exclude the study area, although the
property was still regarded as being in a vicinity of high sensitivity for
archaeological resources. One isolated brownware sherd was found during the
survey and it was noted that the property had been extensively disturbed in the
past.
The archaeological monitoring was negative —no sites, features, or isolated
artifacts were encountered. The property had strong evidence for heavy previous
disturbance, including filling.
INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of archaeological monitoring during grading activities for the La
Quinta Court project located at the southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway i 11 in
the City of La Quinta, California (Figures 1-3). The 5.65-acre, irregularly -shaped property is
being developed as a commercial complex.
The project is in an area of high archaeological sensitivity. Archaeological monitoring was
conducted because of the possibility of encountering buried archaeological material within the
sand dune environment (formerly present on the property). Buried sites are known to exist in
dune fields in the La Quinta area (see Brock and Smith 2000).
The study comprised fieldwork involving monitoring of grading. This project was conducted by
Archaeological Advisory Group for G.J. Murphy Construction.
1 080
I
'
t
RaM� '�
� `„ r aaaE Paliq a�M
0 MILES 10
0 KILOMETERS 15
Figure 1. General location of the project area plotted on a portion of the USGS 1:250,000
Western United States Series Santa Ana, California map (1959, revised 1979).
2
081
\(
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STUDY AR
60
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30
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Figure 2. Specific location of the project area plotted on portion of the USGS 7.5' La Quinta,
California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980).
3
082
Figure 3. General view of the study area, looking northwest, near the completion of grading.
This study was undertaken in accordance with the cultural resource requirements of the City of
La Quinta. These are intended to fulfill those aspects of the California Environmental Quality
Act of 1970 (as amended) which pertain to the management of cultural resources that may be
impacted by development projects sponsored by state or local government agencies, or by private
developments requiring a discretionary permit or license.
This report was prepared in accordance with the recommended contents and format described in
the State's Preservation Planning Bulletin Number 4(a) (California Department of Parks and
Recreation 1989).
The Principal investigator for this study was James Brock. Monitoring was conducted by Mary
Anne Eason. Their qualifications are given in Appendix 1.
Field notes and other material pertaining to this study are on file with Archaeological .Advisory
Group (AAG Job No. 000920). No artifacts were observed or collected during the monitoring.
SETTING
The reader is referred to the Phase I cultural resources study of this property (Brock 2000) for
detailed background information. The following sections present a summary of this information.
4 1. 083
NATURAL SETTING
The study area is an irregularly -shaped parcel located within the City of La Quinta at the
southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway III in the Coachella Valley, Riverside
County, California (Figures 1 and 2).
The property falls within the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 30 of
Township 5 South, Range 7 East, SBBM, as shown on the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California
topographic quadrangle sheet (Figure 2). The extreme northern tip of the property falls within
Section 19. The study area elevation is approximately 70 feet above mean sea level (amsl).
The study area lies within a region that used to be rolling, semi -stable sand dunes. This type of
landform is typical of the remnant shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla, a large lake that once
occupied the basin to the south and east of the project area. Native soil of this area comprises a
gray -tan aeolian sand that ranges from loose to well compacted. This had been largely replaced
by disturbed soil with modern cultural debris.
At the time of the monitoring most of the indigenous vegetation had been removed from the
property. This would have consisted of a Creosote Scrub community, containing creosotes
(Larrea tridentata), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), burrobush (Ambrosia dumosa) and other
thorny scrubs (including Dicoria canescens and Schismus barbatus). Animal species typically
encountered in the area include cottontail, jackrabbit, pack rat, pocket mouse, coyote, scorpion,
king snake, Western Shovel -nosed Snake, Sidewinder, Desert Iguana, Side -blotched Lizard,
Loggerhead Shrike, Mourning Dove, Say's Phobe, Gambel's Quail, Common Raven., Anna's
Hummingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Lesser Nighthawk, and American Kestrel.
The study area falls within the Lower Sonoran Life Zone, as does approximately 60% of
Cahuilla territory (Bean and Saubel 1972:12). This zone extends from the desert floor to the
pinyon -juniper belt (about 3500 feet). The Coachella Valley, due to it placement on the eastern
side of the Peninsular ranges, is blocked from receiving moisture moving eastward liom the
Pacific. This blockade results in low rainfall of generally less than 5 inches of precipitation
annually. Not only does this region have little rainfall, but it is also one of the hottest deserts on
the continent, having a mean maximum temperature in July that easily exceeds 100" (Bailey
1966:42).
At present, the nearest natural water source is the Whitewater River, which is 300 meters to the
northeast of the study area. The shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla would have been present to
the east of the property at different times during prehistory.
CULTURAL SETTING
Research on the occupation and use of the region by humans throughout what is refenred to as
the Prehistoric Period (time preceding contact with Europeans) of Native American history has
been ongoing. Currently, the chronological sequence presented by Warren (1984) and Warren
and Crabtree (1986) is thought to be the most accurate and inclusive for the region. This
5
094
sequence includes the Lake Mojave, Pinto, Gypsum, Saratoga Springs, and Shoshoean cultural
periods. Almost all of the Native American sites in the La Quinta area date to the last period and
most are associated with the exploitation of resources found at the now -desiccated ancient Lake
Cahuilla.
Desert Cahuilla have inhabited the Coachella Valley region for at least the last 1000 years. They
are a Takic speaking people who are more closely culturally tied with coastal and Colorado
River groups than with most other California desert peoples. First known contact with the
Cahuilla by a European was during the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition in 1774-1776. They
were largely ignored by the Spanish until the establishment of the Asistencias San Ant6nio de
Pala (1816), Santa Ysabel (1818), and San Bernardino (1830). Through these mission outposts
the Spanish managed to indirectly influence Cahuilla religious beliefs and culture. During the
Mexican occupation of California, the Cahuilla were largely left alone by intruders. It was not
until 1853, when the Southern Pacific Railroad began surveying the Coachella Valley for a
possible railroad route that, the Cahuilla were again bothered. By this point the lands inhabited
by the Cahuilla had become desired by Americans. In response to this, President Ulysses S.
Grant began allotting Cahuilla lands in 1875 to give to American settlers. It was during this
period when the removal of the Cahuilla to government reservations began. Ten reservations
were created that affected the Cahuilla; of these, four are in the Coachella Valley.
RECORDS AND LITERATURE RESULTS
An archaeological records research for the study area was conducted on April 21, 2000 by James
Brock at the Eastern Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information
System at the University of California, Riverside. The full results of the records search are
presented in the Phase I report (Brock 2000). Briefly, the study area was initially recorded as
part of archaeological site CA-RIV-150, which covered an area of over one square mile.
The records search also revealed that the study area had been previously studied for cultural
resources three times in the past. In 1977 Don Lipp and James Swenson surveyed 90 acres at the
southeast corner of Washington Street and Highway 111, including the study area (Lipp and
Swenson 1977). They noted three loci of the village site CA-RIV-150. These were all to the
southeast of the present study area. Material included extensive pottery and chipped stone
scatters, along with ground stone, beads, and at least two cremations. They recommended a test
program to further evaluate the resources.
In 1980 Jean Salpas conducted a survey of 9.5 acres at the southeast corner of the intersection of
Washington Street and Highway I I I (Salpas 1980). This study also included the study area.
Salpas found three concentrations of material in an area corresponding to Lipp and Swenson's
Locus I of CA-RIV-150. No material was noted on the area comprising the present study area
although disturbances and dumping were observed there. Salpas recommended a "salvage
program" if preservation was not feasible.
Salpas conducted a mitigation program on the identified resources in 1981. Five units were dug
and a surface collection was conducted. In addition to shell, bone, charcoal, rock, "brunt silt,"
0
and decomposed granite, 947 artifacts were recovered. These were primarily pottery sherds,
followed by flaked stone artifacts, and ground stone artifacts. No work was conducted on the
present study area, although it was included within the 1981 project area.
In the early 1980s the archaeological records were updated to eliminate huge, all-inclusive sites
such as CA-RIV-150. With the work that had taken place on, and adjacent to, the study area, it
was decided to exclude the present subject property from the site area. Consequently, the study
area no longer comprises part of a recorded archaeological site. The Phase I archaeological
survey conducted for the La Quinta Court project did, however, result in the recording of an
isolated pottery sherd (Primary No. 33-9649), so one cultural resource had been recorded as
present on the property (Brock 2000).
The record search also revealed that the area in the vicinity of the project is a region of high
archaeological sensitivity, with 22 sites falling within one-half mile of the study area. These
consist of two village sites (CA-RIV-64 and CA-RIV-150), habitation sites (CA-RIV-219'7, CA-
RIV-3005, CA-RIV-3659, CA-RIV-3682, CA-RIV-3683, CA-RIV-3866, CA-RIV-4067, CA-
RIV-6275, CA-RIV-6277, CA-RIV-6376) a habitation site with a historic dump (CA-RIV-3679),
special use/small habitation sites (CA-RIV-2200, CA-RIV-3680, CA-RIV-3681, CA-RIV-5841),
pottery scatters (CA-RIV-5843, CA-RIV-5844, CA-RIV-6276), and pottery and lithic scatters
(CA-RIV-5840, CA-RIV-5876). These sites tend to cluster along the banks of the Whitewater
River channel. At least 23 additional archaeological sites fall within a distance of one-half to
one mile from the study area.
Archival research conducted as part of the Phase I study (Brock 2000) indicated that the study
area had never had any notable historical use. No structures are known to have ever been
present. The property comprised a small part of a 160-acre homestead granted to a Anna Scott
Lunbeek in 1913 (BLM Serial File No. 333677).
RESEARCH DESIGN
Due to the limited nature of this study, and the fact that no material was collected, a formal
archaeological research design was not prepared. The reader is referred to the Burning Dune site
monograph for a pertinent research design (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999).
METHODS
FIELDWORK TECHNIQUES
Standard archaeological monitoring techniques were utilized during the project. Scrapers and
bulldozers were used for the general grading activity. Typically, after the scrapers removed a
layer of soil (i.e. sand) the monitor walked over the cut to observe for any cultural material.
711 086
In accordance with State Historic Preservation Office guidelines, all cultural materials,
structures, features, and objects over 45 years in age were considered for potential cultural
resource value.
FINDINGS
FIELDWORK DETAILS AND GENERAL FINDINGS
Monitoring of the project area was conducted on September 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2000. With the
exception of the morning of the 261", when Mr. Brock was also on site, monitoring was
conducted solely by Mary Anne Eason. Monitoring was terminated when the adequate
scarification depth, as determined by the soils engineer, was reached. This was generally over
one meter in depth due to the previous debris dumping that had occurred on the property. After
scarification, fill was imported to the site from a location outside of the City of La Quinta.
Dumping of fill was, of course, not monitored. Because of the deep scarification and subsequent
filling, future trenching for the project will not impact natural, previously undisturbed, soil.
No cultural resources were identified on the study area during monitoring of grading. A fairly
large amount of modern debris was present in the cuts observed. This material was either
removed or recompacted.
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATIONIRECOMMENDATIONS
No potentially significant cultural resources were identified during the monitoring.
The client has successfully complied with the archaeological monitoring conditions required by
the City of La Quinta for the grading of this property.
REFERENCES CITED
Bailey, Harry P.
1966 Weather of Southern California. California Natural History Guides 17.
University of California Press, Berkeley.
Bean, Lowell John, and Katherine Siva Saubel
1972 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants. Malki Museum,
Banning.
8 087
Brock, James
2000 Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment of a 5.65-Acre Property at the Southeast
Corner of Washington Street and Highway 111, La Quinta, California. Ms. on
file, Eastern Information Center, California Historical Resources Information
System, UC Riverside.
Brock, James, and Brenda D. Smith
2000 Digging in Desert Dune Fields: Methodological Considerations. Proceedings of
the Society for California Archaeology 13:211-216.
Brock, James, Brenda D. Smith, and Thomas A. Wake
1999 Investigations at the Burning Dune Site (CA-RIV-4754), La Quinta, California.
AAG Monograph 1. Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
1989 Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended Contents
and Format. California Office of Historic Preservation, California Department of
Parks and Recreation, Sacramento.
Lipp, Don, and James Swenson
1977 Environmental Impact Evaluation: Archaeological Assessment of Washington
Square Development, Indian Wells, Riverside County, California. Ms. on file,
Eastern Information Center, California Historical Resources Information System,
UC Riverside.
Salpas, Jean A.
1980 An Archaeological Assessment of 9.5 Acres of Land in La Quinta. Ms, on file,
Eastern Information Center, California Historical Resources Information System,
UC Riverside.
1981 Mitigation of the Archaeological SiteCA-Riv-150, Locus I: Cultural Resources
Located on 9.5 acres of land at the Southeast Corner of Washington Avenue and
Highway I I I in La Quinta, California. Ms. on file, Eastern Information Center,
California Historical Resources Information System, UC Riverside.
Warren, Claude N.
1984 The Desert Region. In California Archaeology, by Michael J. Moratto, pp. 339-
430. Academic Press, New York.
Warren, Claude N., and Robert H. Crabtree
1986 Prehistory of the Southwestern Area. In Great Basin, edited by Warren L.
D'Azevedo, pp. 183-193. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 11,
William C. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.
9 1 088
APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS
James Brock (Principal Investigator)
BA (Anthropology) UC Santa Barbara
MA (Archaeology) University of Durham, Durham, England
Registered Professional Archaeologist (on Register of Professional
Archaeologists, formerly the Society of Professional Archaeologists)
20 years of experience as a Principal Investigator on cultural resource-,
management projects throughout southern California
Mary Anne Eason (Monitor/Archaeologist)
BA (Anthropology), CSU San Bernardino
MA (Anthropology), UC Riverside
Adjunct Professor, San Bernardino Valley Junior College
5 years of experience on cultural resource management projects in California
10 089
FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS!
THE HUMAN JOURNEY AND ANCIENT LIFE IN
CALIFORNIA'S DESERTS AT THE MILLENNIUM
"The Barstow Conference"
Who: Scholars and academicians, agency representatives, museum curators, independent researchers, tribal representatives and
individuals from private firms are invited to attend and contribute to the MILLENNIUM Conference,
What: The MILLENNIUM Conference will bring together a wide variety of experts who have made significant contributions to our
knowledge of the cultural and paleontological heritage of the California Desert.
Where: The MILLENNIUM Conference will be held in Barstow, California
When: The MILLENNIUM Conference is scheduled for May 9,1 0, 11, and 12, 2001.
Why. The purpose of the MILLENNIUM Conference is twofold: The first goal of the MILLENNIUM
Conference is to assemble scholars who have made significant contributions to our knowledge of cultural and
paleontological resources in the California Desert. The second goal of the Conference is to review
the status of our knowledge in these respective fields, to identify research/infon-nation needs, and to recommend
future research and public education directions.
MILLENNIUM Conference themes will include:
• Environmental Context and Cultural Ecology of the Desert
• Current status of desert prehistory, history, and paleontology,
• Native peoples of the California Desert,
• A millennium of human presence in the desert;
• Historic period land uses;
• Research, management, and preservation for the next MILLENNIUM;
Desert folklife.
The format of the MILLENNIUM Conference will include keynote addresses, formal presentation of papers (20 minutes), poster
presentations, and panel discussions. Time will be allotted at the end of each session for questions and discussion. All abstracts and
selected papers will be published in the Proceedings of the California Desert MILLENNIUM Conference.
Abstracts: Abstracts (150 word maximum) should be submitted in both hard copy and electronically no later than January 31, 2001
Abstracts should be concise, giving a clear indication of the focus of the presentation, and should address one of the
MILLENNIUM Conference themes.
Submit abstracts to: Dr. M.C. Hall, Director; Archaeological Research Unit, University of California, Riverside, CA
92521-0418 (Matthew.hall(a@ucr.edu) 909-787-7369/3885.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Russ Kaldenberg (916-978-4635) rkaldenb@ca.blm.gov; Roger Kelly (415-427-1400)
Roger _Kelly@nps.gov; Mark Allen (760-380-6779) allenm@irwin armv.mil Daniel McCarthy (909-687-7974) dimccarthv(Co aol.com or
Joan Schneider (909-787-3517) ischneid(rhucracl.ucr.edu