Hickory Creek Interceptor Archaeological Survey and Testing

Acacia conducted archaeological survey along Hickory Creek in Denton County, Texas in advance of a new water interceptor line. The survey discovered two deeply buried pre-contact indigenous campsites. Acacia subsequently conducted test excavations involving mechanical and hand excavations to uncover archaeological features and other remains. At one of the sites, archaeologists uncovered a large and exquisitely preserved 2,800 year old earth oven. At the other, Acacia uncovered multiple hearth features which investigators believe are the remains of repeated short-term occupations at the site. Preliminary radiocarbon dating suggests that some of these cooking features may be more than 5,000 years old. Analysis is ongoing to pull the curtain back on a little studied period of North Texas prehistory.

Cultural Resources Surveys of Rural Dams in Texas

Acacia has been conducting cultural resources surveys at rural dams throughout Texas. Most of these dams were built to control runoff and flooding as part of Federal Flood Control Act efforts undertaken between 1944 and the 1960s. However, aging infrastructure, erosion, and increased development around them have increased their risk of overflowing and failure. The surveys are required under the National Historic Preservation Act and the Antiquities Code of Texas in advance of planned improvements and upgrades. Acacia's work involves not just archaeological evaluations, but also assessments of the dams and associated elements as historic resources.

Archaeological Surveys in the Homochitto National Forest, Mississippi

Acacia conducted archaeological surveys of timber thinning and salvage areas in multiple compartments of the Homochitto National Forest.  Acacia’s archeologists undertook shovel testing at 30 meter intervals throughout each survey tract, documented new archaeological sites, and prepared site forms and GIS files for the Forest Service district archaeologist to develop a report. Through three separate task orders, Acacia surveyed 43 separate project parcels totalling 200 acres.

The Glosserman Estate Historic Tax Credit Assisstance

The Glosserman Estate is a 1932 Tudor Revival mansion set on more than two acres in Lockhart, Texas. The house locally iconic for its unique style and scale within a historic town largely dominated by Queen Anne and Classical Revival architecture. Its original owner was a self-made oil and cattle magnate who was just as notorious for his gambling habits as his generosity and civic-involvement. Acacia was hired to help the new owner of this property prepare a state and federal historic tax credit application to offset the cost of period-appropriate repairs and renovations. Work involved extensive historical and genealogical research to prepare a National Register nomination for the property.

Fort Anahuac Monuments Investigation

Acacia’s core team has worked with Chambers County for two decades conducting research on and archaeological investigations at Fort Anahuac Park, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a State Antiquities Landmark. Working for Office of Economic Development, Acacia assisted the with planning and compliance for installation of two proposed monuments at Fort Anahuac Park. The park commemorates an 1830 Mexican-era fort, and two battles fought there in 1832 and 1835, that are generally seen as direct precursors to the Texas Revolution of 1836. For this project Acacia assisted the county with visualizations to guide placement of two new monuments dedicated to the people and events of 1832 and 1835. Acacia also conducted archaeological survey of the location of the monuments in the park to ensure that intact remains of the 1830s fort foundation were not affected by the action.

River Ranch Park Exhibits

Acacia assisted MuseWork with research and script writing for historical exhibits at River Ranch Park in Liberty Hill, Texas. Work involved researching the historical community, developing themes for presentation, acquiring images and image permissions, and writing narratives scripts to accompany them. Among the major themes Acacia identified for interpretation at River Ranch Park were Hill Country cedar choppers, wagon transportation routes, a Freedman's colony, Methodist camp meeting grounds, as well as themes pertaining to settlement and agriculture of the 1850s-1950s.

Cultural Resources Background Studies

Acacia has prepared dozens of background studies to assist project planners with managing cultural resource considerations and compliance. These studies are used to support NEPA documentation as well as compliance with federal and state requirements governing cultural resources. Our studies merge thorough historical research and analysis with baseline environmental condition assessments to develop reliable predictive models, and assess potential impacts to archeological sites or historical resources. We stand by the belief that early and active consideration for cultural resources facilitates better project planning and construction.

The Horton Cemetery

Acacia assisted developers in defining the limits of the Horton Cemetery in Dallas County, Texas. The cemetery was established before the Civil War by an early pioneer named James Horton for members his family and neighbors. Enslaved and freedmen from the local Black community were interred in a separate section downslope from the Horton family. Today, the cemetery is completely overgrown. Many graves are unmarked, headstones are obscured by vegetation, and its boundaries are unclear. Acacia undertook archival research, oral interviews, reconnaissance, and sub-centimeter accurate mapping to better define the cemetery's boundaries and identify possible unmarked graves around the current fenceline. The goal was to help developers define its limits to avoid affecting these sensitive resources.