By: Deborah Rotman
Prepared for the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Report of Investigations 55. Archaeological Resources Management Service, Ball State University.
Abstract
A second field season of archaeological investigation was conducted at the Schroeder Saddletree Factory and Residence in Madison, Indiana. The project was funded in part through a Department of Interior Historic Preservation Survey and Planning Grant administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. The excavation built upon the results of the 1997 field school, which indicated no substantial cultural remains predating the Schroeder occupation of the site beginning in 1878. Research during the 1998 field season focused upon 1) locations near some of last year's units which have the potential to reveal further information about structures which are shown on late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Sanborn maps, but which are no longer extant and 2) areas where domestic uses of the property have been documented, either through oral histories, prior archaeological testing or other sources. The artifacts and other data recovered elucidates aspects of construction chronology, building placement, landscape modifications, and domestic activities at the site. This report describes the excavation, discusses the material culture and archaeological data recovered, and explicates how this investigation has contributed to our understanding of industrial and familial life at the Schroeder Saddletree Factory and Residence.