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17. An Archeological Evaluation of the Trout Point Logging Camp.
Richner, Jeffrey J.
The Trout Point Logging Camp is located along the northeastern coast of
Stockton Island, within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Figures 1,2,3).
The site was discovered by former Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
ecologist, Robert Brander, who brought the site to the attention of a
Midwest Archeological Center team in 1979. Initial site reconnaissance
survey in 1979 confirmed Brander's identification of the site as a logging
camp, possibly associated with early 20th century logging efforts on
Stockton Island by the John Schroeder Lumber Co. A sketch map made of the
site in 1979 provided spatial data for avoiding the site during 1981
construction of a trail from the National Park Service's Presque Isle
campground to the Trout Point area, where a small, primitive campground was
developed.
National Lakeshore interest in interpreting the site for the public and for
determining its content, condition and significance led to an evaluative
testing project at the site during five days in late May, 1982. The
National Lakeshore funded the small-scale archeological project, and
provided two staff members and two volunteers to assist the Midwest
Archeological Center in conducting the fieldwork.
Fieldwork included surface and metal detector surveys, mapping, and limited
test excavations. A "minimal disturbance" strategy was closely adhered to
in an effort to gather needed data while disturbing the site to the most
limited degree possible. A total of 12 m² were excavated at the site.
As a result of fieldwork, 1119 artifacts in a variety of media were
recovered, and 36 site features were mapped. In this report, the
archeological information is combined with available documentary evidence
to provide dates for site use, interpret the function of many of the site
features, and to develop a data base for examining the history and
significance of the site within a regional setting. The data are also
utilized for developing a preliminary sketch of day to day life at the
camp. These analytical and interpretive aspects are combined with
description of field and laboratory methods and artifact analyses in the
following chapters.
In the Background, chapter 1, a brief sketch of the logging history of the
Chequamegon Bay area is presented, followed by a more detailed examination
of documentary evidence for logging on Stockton Island. In the Goals and
Methods chapter, specific research and management goals which shaped the
project are defined, followed by a discussion of field and laboratory
methodologies which were employed in an attempt to meet project goals. In
the third section, the 36 site features recorded during site testing are
described and the field methods used for investigating the features are
presented. In the Artifact Description and Analysis section, data for
dating the site and for interpreting the function of many of the site's
features are analysed, and a commentary is presented on the lifestyle of
the loggers who worked at the camp. The latter portion of this section was
developed for use by Apostle Islands National Lakeshore staff in
interpreting the site for National Lakeshore visitors. In the final
section of the report an evaluation of site significance is developed.
Due to the sensitive nature
of this subject this report is
available to professional
archeologists only. If you
order this manuscript we may
contact you for verification of
your profession.
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