An Intensive Pedestrian Archaeological Survey of the Helton San Antonio River Nature Park in Wilson County, Texas

Description

During August 2010, The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted an intensive pedestrian archaeological survey of the proposed Helton San Antonio River Nature Park located near Floresville, Texas in Wilson County to fulfill contract requirements with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). The survey, conducted under the requirements of the Texas Antiquities Code, was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5716, with Dr. Steve A. Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator and Cynthia Moore Munoz and Antonia Figueroa serving as the Project Archaeologists. The work was conducted in advance of proposed improvements to the property. Multiple phased improvements proposed for the park include roads, three parking areas, hike and bike trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, campsites, recreational vehicle (RV) campsites, an overnight research cabin, multiple toilets and water stations, a multi-use pavilion, an environmental education center, an amphitheater, river accesses for paddling, a pond, a bridge, a riparian land management demonstration area, and a tree and native plant farm. Four existing structures on the property are planned to be used as the park headquarters building and an operations facility. The principal goal of the pedestrian survey was to identify and document all prehistoric and/or historic archaeological sites that may be impacted by the proposed improvements within the park. This report summarizes the results of the fieldwork and provides recommendations regarding the management of cultural resources located on the project area.