Friday, March 2, 2018

More “DIrt” in Local Politics

Several professional archaeologists felt it was important to volunteer their time and expertise in the “Dirt” to walk the site at the MACO Northcreek publicaly-subsidized housing project on Jones Street just east of River Boulevard.  They found enough evidence and artifacts from the trails-era occupation and Native Americans to register the site with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources - State Historic Preservation Office as a Missouri Archaeological Site but it comes too late to make a difference.  An archaeological investigation was first suggested by citizens and neighbors over two years ago.  This suggestion was due to its location with respect to the National Trails as a likely camp ground and staging area for pioneers preparing for the westward journey, not to mention evidence of trails-era burials.  City Planning officials, City Preservation Manager, and the Missouri Housing Development Commission disagreed primarily because officials with the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) unconditionally supported MACO and their housing development while stating archaeology was not appropriate for this site.  It’s sad to see city and OCTA officials place politics before professionalism in supporting yet another politically connected developer.