Background. As part of South and East Beltways Study, a historical survey was conducted within the 80-square mile project study area. The purpose of the survey was to provide compliance with Section 106 of the National Historical Preservation Act which requires that historical resources (both standing structures and archeological materials) be considered during the planning and execution of any federally funded project. Under this legislation, historical resources are defined as those listed in or considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Eligibility is based on two primary considerations (1) the degree of historic integrity, and (2) the overall significance of the resource. Integrity requires the site to retain enough of its early materials, appearance, and feeling to illustrate its history clearly. Significance requires that the resource relate to a historical context and must be based on at least one of the following four criteria: (a) association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, (b) association with the lives of persons significant in our past, (c) embodiment of the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or high artistic values, and (d) likelihood to yield information important to historical understanding.
Project Scope. Developed in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the City of Lincoln, the scope of the historical survey was to identify historic standing structures, and to evaluate those sites using the federally-established criteria to determine eligibility for the NRHP. The survey included two components: (1) a reconnaissance-level survey to identify all historic resources within the study area, and (2) an intensive-level survey of the Stevens Creek Bottoms, the area of some of Lancaster County's earliest settlements. An archeological survey is being conducted under separate contract.
Public Participation. The historic survey incorporated public participation opportunities, including a running announcement on the public access channel, newspaper articles in the Lincoln Journal Star and Waverly News, and a questionnaire mailed to landowners within the study area. In addition, contact was made with representatives of various advocacy groups, including Friends in the East-Mid Beltway, Citizens for Accountable Route Selection, and Preservation Association of Lincoln. Extensive discussions were held with landowners with a familiarity with resources in the area.
Findings of the Reconnaissance Survey and Determination of Eligibility. The reconnaissance survey identified 141 sites over 50 years old-the cut-off limit for historic resources according to NRHP guidelines. Of these, two sites were already listed on the NRHP (Steven Creek Stock Farm and Ehler's Round Barn). Based on a comparative analysis and evaluation of historic integrity, 25 other sites were determined to be eligible for listing (Table 1). The majority of the eligible sites are farmyards and barns which individually, and as a group, contribute to the overall understanding of agricultural development in rural Lancaster County. The 25 sites include 10 farmyards, 7 individual barns, 2 residences, 1 school, 3 cast concrete road signs, and 2 grain elevators.
Results of the surveys show that historical resources nearer to central Lancaster County have already been affected by growth pushing eastward from the City of Lincoln. In general, the concentration of historic resources increases with distance from the City. This is attributable to the growth throughout the twentieth-century of Lincoln as a center of business, commerce and government, and the increasing impact of the city on its surroundings.
Findings of the Intensive-Level Survey. The intensive-level survey focused on the Stevens Creek Bottoms--a small area within the overall study area. Because Stevens Creek was known to be the location of the earliest settlement in the County, the purpose of the intensive level survey was to develop a cultural context (narrative history) with which to evaluate any cultural landscapes or the potential for any historical districts. Thirteen sites were surveyed within the defined area-generally within one half mile of either side of Stevens Creek. These sites included 10 farms, 1 automobile garage, and 2 relocated school buildings (Table 2).
Although the survey revealed broad patterns of nineteenth century immigrant settlement and the consequent early development of agriculture in Lancaster County, only one site (Norma and Bob Lemke Residence) was considered eligible for the NRHP (other than the already listed Stevens Creek Stock Farm). No cultural landscapes were identified, and no historical districts were considered appropriate. The low-incidence of Register-eligible properties in the Stevens Creek Bottoms can be attributed to the steady adaptation of the farm to the changing demands of agriculture. As a result, the physical manifestation of early settlement has eroded with time, and few resources in the area retain the historic integrity necessary for the determination of eligibility.
Survey Status. By letter dated 11 June 1998, the SHPO concurred with the overall findings of the draft Historic Survey Report with only minor revisions. Review comments received from the SHPO have been incorporated into the document. The revised report is available for public review at the Bennett Martin Public Library, City-County Planning Department, City Public Works and Utilities, Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraska Department of Roads and Federal Highway Administration. The report is also available on the FHWA web site at http:\\www.fhwa.dot.gov\nediv.
Next Steps. The Historic Survey Report represents the initial inventory phase of the Section 106 process. Pending completion of the archeological study and formal comment by the SHPO, the next step will be to consult with the SHPO to assess the effects of any project impacts on individual historical resources. Although it is assumed that a project of the magnitude of the South and East Beltways may have adverse effects on historic sites, consultation will cover methods to assess effects, evaluate alternatives, and develop possible mitigation strategies.
Farmyards
LC00: S-15 Del O'Brien Farmyard
LC00: E-52 Steve Johnson Farmyard
LC00: E-53 Penterman Farmyard, "Penterman Farm"
LC00: E-56 Michael Smith Farmyard
LC00: E-61 Elaine and Owen Herter Farmyard
LC00: E-62 Joel and Kathy Sartore Farm, "Herter's-Hagaman Farm"
LC00: E-69 Arthur Monahan Farmyard, "Haeger Dairy"
LC00: E-72 Lyle and Maverne Mayer Farmyard
LC00: E-87 Theresa Retzlaff Farmyard, "Forest Brook Farm"
LC00: E-134 Laura Reed Farmyard, "Reed Homestead"
Barns
LC00: S-6 David McEwen Gable Roof Barn
LC00: S-31 Steve Speidel Gothic Arch Roof Laminated Truss Barn
LC00: S-47 Margene Zachek Gable Roof Connected Barn
LC00: E-57 Elton Haase Gable Roof Mortise and Peg Barn, "Haase Farm"
LC00: E-67 Shirley Retzlaf Gable Roof Banked Barn, "Retzlaf Farm"
LC00: E-102 Donna Keane Gambrel Roof Barn, "Kettlehut Farm"
LC00: E-132 Lynn Lenhoff Gambrel Roof Concrete Block Barn
Residences
LC00: S-23 Forest Nicely Residence, "Jensen Homeplace"
LC00: E-81 Chuck Hobka Residence, "Jacoby Homestead"
LC00: E-99 Norma and Bob Lemke Residence, "Karl Lemke Farm"
LC00: E-141 William Fagen Residence, "Fagen's Acres"
School
LC00: S-41 "Cheney School"
Grain Elevators
LC00: S-40 Circle 4 Feed and Grain Elevator, Cheney
LC00: E-106 Farmers Coop Grain Elevator, Walton
Road Signs
LC00: S-42 Road Sign at 1st and 91st, Cheney
LC00: E-118 Road Sign at 112th and Adams
LC00: E-135 Road Sign at Saltillo and 56th
LC00: E-65 Maahs Homestead and Farm
LC00: E-70 Stevens Creek Garage
LC00: E-71 Anderson Farm
LC00: E-84 Shea-Sappenfield-Copple Farm
LC00: E-85 Wettenkamp Homestead Farm
LC00: E-86 Luther Farm
LC00: E-88 Stevens Creek Stock Farm-Mardale Farm
LC00: E-95 Wood-Kemper-Kayser Farm
LC00: E-96 Amundson Residence
LC00: E-99 Lemke Homestead and Farm
LC00: E-100 Claus Hodtwalker Homestead/Farm
LC00: E-101 School
LC00: E-116 Sprague/Martel School
* Of these properties, only LC00: E-88 (Stevens Creek Stock Farm-Mardale Farm) and
LC00: E-99 (Norma and Bob Lemke Residence) are on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
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INTRODUCTION 1
WHAT IS SECTION 106 REVIEW? 1
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION 2
SURVEY METHODOLOGY 6
Reconnaissance Survey Methodology 6
Intensive Level Survey Methodology 7
THE DATABASE AND TABLES 8
RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY 9
Findings of the Reconnaissance Survey 9
The Eligible Resources 9
Thematic Context in the Study Area: Directional Signs 11
Thematic Context in the Study Area: Grain Elevators 12
STEVENS CREEK BOTTOMS INTENSIVE SURVEY 12
Early Settlement in Lancaster County 12
Vernacular Settlement 14
Social Identity Within Settlements of Immigrants 15
Identity and Territoriality 16
Insularity and Assimilation 17
Occupational Specialization Among German Immigrants 18
LANCASTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENT 19
The Railroads 19
Agricultural Development 20
The Evolution of the Farm 22
Cultural Landscapes 22
Early Transportation Networks 25
FINDINGS OF THE INTENSIVE SURVEY 26
CONCLUSION 33
EFFECTS ON NRHP AND NRHP-ELIGIBLE SITES 34
SOURCES 35
Following
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To view maps of proposed sites, click on the following figures.
Figure 1 Historic Properties in the Reconnaissance Survey 9
Figure 2 NRHP Sites and Register-Eligible Sites 9
Appendix A: Resources Eligible for Listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Appendix B: Resources Ineligible for Listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Appendix C: Resources Currently Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Appendix D: Reconnaissance Field Survey Forms
Appendix E: Public Outreach Efforts
Appendix F: Nominations for Resources Currently Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
