“Projects”
 Client:
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
Project:
Jackson’s Row
Location:
City of Pittsburgh, North Shore
Our Role:
Phase I & II Archaeology; Phase III Data Recovery
The unique well on the right side of the photograph was found during archaeological excavations of 14 brick townhouses built in 1837 on Robinson Street in Pittsburgh. Known as Jackson’s Row, the townhouses were home to famous Pittsburghers including William Scaife, Alexander Nimick, Henry Phipps, William W. Mackintosh, and Joseph A. Wilson. Together, these men developed the iron and steel industry that is Pittsburgh’s legacy. The young families living on Jackson’s Row prospered here during Pittsburgh’s major transformation from Indian territory to a fast-paced industrial economy. Through archaeological excavations, these experiences came to life again.
Additional Interest: The last objects thrown into one of the wells were champagne and wine bottles made in the 1850s by William McCully & Co. of Pittsburgh. The bottles were deposited in the well at the same time as Allegheny City’s new water system brought piped water to Jackson’s Row and the old water wells were closed. Did we find the remains of a celebration party?
 Client:
Pittsburgh Pirates
Project:
PNC Park/ General Robinson Site
Location:
City of Pittsburgh
Awards:
American Cultural Resource Association Industry (ACRA) Award
Our Role:
Phase I Archaeology, Phase II Archaeology, Data Recovery, Historic Structure
CDC conducted a major excavation of the General Robinson Site buried beneath what would become PNC Park Home of the Pirates. This incredible archaeological site was found deeply buried beneath 15 feet of flood and refuse deposits. General William Robinson was the son James Robinson, the first permanent settler on Pittsburgh’s North Side. James Robinson moved here in the 1780s when Native Americans still claimed the land now occupied by the PNC Park and Carnegie Science Center…. then a place of streams, wetlands and islands. The Robinsons built a riverside plantation on an Indian Trail (now Federal Street) and operated a ferry across the Allegheny River. From this plantation home, travelers entered “a howling wilderness.” As more settlers moved across the river from Pittsburgh, the North Side became Pittsburgh’s twin city – Allegheny City – from 1840 to 1907. General Robinson was Allegheny City’s first mayor.
Additional Interest: Archaeologists could nearly recreate the Robinson’s china cupboard filled with expensive blue Chinese and English plates, platters and teawares. The Flood of 1832 damaged General Robinson’s home when floodwaters covered the first floor, nearly reaching the second floor. Many of the family’s beautiful objects washed out of the house into the backyard where the archaeological team found them 175 years later. Native American artifacts including stone tools and corn were found beneath the flood deposits.
 Client:
ASC Development
Project:
Dixmont State Hospital
Location:
Kilbuck Township, Allegheny County
Awards:
CDC played a part in a WQED Television News Special Report titled: Dixmont
Our Role:
Phase I Archaeological Survey, Effect. Report, MOA, Documentation, Exhibit
CDC conducted a Phase I Cultural Resource Survey for the former Dixmont State Hospital in Kilbuck Township. One of the hospital’s buildings, Reed Hall has been listed on the National Register. The building is significant as one of the nation’s first hospitals built for the mentally ill and for its association with Dorothea Lynde Dix, a prominent social reformer. Reed Hall was designed by a famous local architect, Joseph Kerr, who used the nationally known Kirkbride Plan as a basis for his plans for Reed Hall.
Additional Interest: The owner of the site found Dixmont’s time capsule, a two-gallon glass jar, filled with papers, books, a 1663 coin, and a bronze medal. CDC was given permission to document the contents and condition of the materials including a 1663 coin and a bronze medal. Dixmont has been ravaged by vandals, demolitions, and a devastating fire set in the chapel of Reed Hall.
Client:
Westmoreland Historical Society
Project:
Hannas Town
Location:
Westmoreland County
Our Role:
Master Plan
The Hannas Town Archaeological Site is listed on the National Register and recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most significant cultural resources. For more than 30 years, teams of professional and amateur archaeologists, volunteers and students have performed archaeological excavations on the site. The planning process for future excavations began with a data evaluation process followed by the preparation of a series of digital site maps. From these maps CDC participated in establishing strategic project goals and recommendations for future planning purposes. The boundaries of the Hannas Town Site and the location of potential features such as roads, privies, and two of the three forts were not known. Both Magnetometer (MAG) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were used to plan future excavations at the site. This image shows the results of these combined surveys.
Additional Interest: MAG surveys measure and digitally record the intensity of the earth’s magnetic field. From these surveys foundations, fire or debris pits, well shafts, and other structural remains can be identified. GPR surveys produce cross sections of subsurface features and changes in soil chemistry, moisture and organic content. These differences are mapped and overlaid on a site base map.
 Client:
City of Pittsburgh
Project:
Allegheny Commons: West Park
Location:
City of Pittsburgh
Our Role:
Phase I Archaeological Survey
CDC completed a Phase I Archaeological Survey for the West Commons within the Allegheny Commons Park, a City of Pittsburgh Historic District. The park is Pittsburgh’s oldest park and an excellent example of a nineteenth century designed landscape. This image shows the park as it was originally designed.
Additional Interest: No archaeological sites were found in the area of the proposed new road. The city later decided to cancel the road project and return the park to the original landscape design.
Posted by in Exhibit, Projects
 Client:
Local schools and municipalities
Project:
Educational Programming
Location:
Western Pennsylvania
Our Role:
Programming and exhibits
How archaeologists find sites and what they find is of great interest to the public. The compelling stories of Native Americans, early settlers, traders, and the military are enhanced by the archaeological investigations conducted here in western Pennsylvania. Both adults and children can participate in excavations to learn more about cultures who lived in our region for thousands of years.
Additional Interest: CDC provides education programming for students and educators particularly in communities where our excavations are conducted. Two members of CDC’s staff have degrees in education and archeology.
 Client:
Private client
Project:
Allegheny River Boulevard
Location:
Allegheny County
Our Role:
Prepared Historic Resource Survey Form
As motorists travel the tree-lined Allegheny River Boulevard with its old vine-covered stone walls and river views, they experience a scenic design developed by Allegheny County’s Planning Department nearly 70 years ago. The design evolved from the City Beautiful Movement during a time when Americans attempted to redesign their cities through an agenda of environmentalism and aesthetics physically expressed in the many beautiful parks, buildings and boulevards built between 1900 and 1930. The Boulevard was built to take advantage of the scenic beauty of the Allegheny River Valley. Part of the roadway’s charm is an alignment that closely parallels the natural course of the Allegheny River and affords sweeping vistas of the river, its elliptical islands and surrounding hills. To better appreciate the scenic opportunities of the Boulevard, the Allegheny County constructed three Observation Turnouts. Stately Oriental Plane trees provide a shaded canopy and illuminated pylons by sculptor Frank Vittor mark the Boulevard’s entrance in Verona.
Additional Interest: The Boulevard is eligible as a National Register Historic District and has been listed as one of America’s 10 Most Endangered Scenic Byways.
Posted by in Exhibit, Projects
 Client:
Ulster American Folk Park, County Tyrone, Ireland
Project:
Ulster American Folk Park springhouse
Location:
West Deer Township, Allegheny County
Our Role:
Documentation; Paint & Mortar Analysis
CDC documented the history and construction of this log springhouse before it was moved to Ireland. Mortar and paint samples were extracted. Each log was numbered and carefully packed into a large shipping box for the trip over the Atlantic Ocean. Michael Cummings dismantled the building. The Cunningham Springhouse was part of the Cunningham Farm located in West Deer Township. The family arrived from Ireland in 1810 and purchased 200 acres of land for their family farm. The family’s log springhouse with an overhsot roof system was preserved by the Dillner family who later bought the property.
Additional Interest: The log springhouse was moved in 1999 to the Ulster American Folk Park, an open-air museum in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The museum tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th & 19th centuries and provides visitors with a “living history” experience on its outdoor site.
 Client:
Urban Redevelopment Authority
Project:
Washingtons Landing Cultural Resources
Location:
City of Pittsburgh
Awards:
Phoenix Award
Our Role:
Phase I Archaeology, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER)
This project involved the redevelopment of Washington’s Landing, formerly Herr’s Island. CDC performed a Cultural Resource studies for the former slaughter house sites and dumps on what was once a contaminated brownfield. Today, the island is a beautifully developed residential community with office space and a rowing club. As part of the project, a historic railroad bridge was documented for the National Park Service, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) for the Library of Congress.
Additional Interest: See the Library of Congress Web site for more information about CDC’s documentation of the old railroad bridge before it was altered as a trail connection.
 Client:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Project:
East Ohio Street Improvement Project (SR 0028)
Location:
City of Pittsburgh
Our Role:
Criteria of Effect, Section 4 (f), Phase I Archaeology
This old photograph of East Ohio Street in the 1920s was taken near the 31st Street Bridge. Note the streetcar tracks and cobblestone road. The plan for rebuilding East Ohio Street has required extensive public participation and coordination with local, state, and Federal agencies. CDC prepared the Section 106 documentation for 15 cultural resources and performed a Phase I Archaeology Survey on one section.
Additional Interest: As a subcontractor to Michael Baker Jr. Inc., CDC prepared Section 106 documents including a Criteria of Effect Report and Section 4(f)documents for this complex project.
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