Cultural Landscape Report: Cedar Pass Developed Area

John Milner Associates, Inc.; Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects, Ltd.

The NPS utilizes CLRs as the primary guide for treatment of a cultural landscape. Based on the historical context provided in a historic resource study (HRS), a CLR documents and evaluates the character-defining features, materials, and qualities that make a landscape eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It analyzes the landscape’s development and evolution, geographic context, modification, materials, construction techniques, and use over time. A CLR provides a synthetic and cohesive view of a site’s historic and existing features through comprehensive documentation, analysis, and evaluation. The team uses landscape evaluation as the basis for proposing thoughtful recommendations regarding historic preservation treatment. While CLRs vary in their emphasis and level of investigation, they are typically interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on information developed by historians, landscape architects, ecologists, botanists, architects, archeologists, as well as other related professions and disciplines. The level of investigation is determined by the historical significance and integrity of the site, identified management goals, past documentation efforts, and potential landscape alterations or changes under consideration by the owner. Historical research to support the CLR was primarily limited to the archives at Badlands National Park and the Denver Service Center Technical Information Center (DSC TIC). Project historian Jacky Taylor collected information during a May 2003 visit to the park and documents were collected from DSC TIC online. Directed research was conducted in two stages. The first stage involved review of collected data and materials provided to JMA by the NPS, with a subsequent visit to the park’s repository. Within the repository, materials reviewed included secondary sources such as books, reports, and other documents, as well as primary source maps, drawings, photographs, and additional documents. Pertinent materials were photocopied or temporarily borrowed from the park. The second stage involved a more in-depth analysis of the collected resources and materials. Each item was reviewed for information relevant to the physical development of the study area landscape. Gaps in documentation were sought through remote means from other NPS archives. The CLR team prepared a comparative analysis of historic and existing conditions to better understand the relationship between the historic and contemporary Cedar Pass landscape and determine how its character had changed since the period of significance. Through the development of the comparative analysis of historic and existing landscape conditions, three lists were prepared that identified contributing, non-contributing, and missing features. Contributing features survive from one of the periods of significance; non-contributing features originate after the last period of significance; and missing features are known or thought to have existed during one of the periods of significance but may only be evident in the archeological record. Conjectural information was indicated within the lists. Management issues, the findings of the VA, and the preferred alternative preservation concept resulting from the EA process served as the basis and framework for developing the CLR treatment approach, guidelines, and recommendations. The treatment recommendations were prepared based upon guidance outlined in The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes, as well as other relevant NPS guides and management policies associated with specific project recommendations.

Cultural Landscape Report: Cedar Pass Developed Area

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