In recognition of the firm’s April 2014 archaeological work at the Craig-Ewalt site, the Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board selected Gray & Pape to receive the Preservation Project award.
In cooperation with the Boone County Public Library, the Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board, and the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, Gray & Pape conducted an archaeological and architectural assessment of the Craig-Ewalt farmstead and cemetery in the East Bend area of Boone County, KY. This research was conducted as a “rescue archaeology” effort to document the site prior to removal of the log house and subsequent grading and contouring of the landscape. The principal focus of this effort was to document the log house prior to disassembly; identify any intact subsurface archaeological deposits; and delineate the boundaries of the Craig Cemetery. The log Craig-Ewalt House was disassembled in late April 2015, and moved to the farm of Butch and Mary Ann Wainscott in Petersburg, KY
Archaeological, archival, and architectural analyses indicate that the Craig-Ewalt House was originally constructed approximately one-half mile to the south of its location beside Beaver Road during the mid-1840s, by William Ewalt. By 1879, the house was occupied by Charles Craig, and appears to have been disassembled and moved to its location on the south side of Beaver Road shortly after publication of D. J. Lake’s (1883) Boone County Atlas. Additionally, the Craig Cemetery is located to the east of the house and a Ground-Penetrating-Radar survey identified at least nine potential interments. This family cemetery appears to have been established in 1852, with the death of Capt. John Hawkins Craig, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. However, earlier graves may be present. Additional known burials include Franklin Craig and John P. Craig; both of whom are sons of Capt. John Hawkins Craig and Sallie Snelling Craig. Historical research indicates that Sallie Snelling Craig is also buried in this cemetery.
The award will be presented at the 2016 Boone County Historic Preservation Awards Reception held on Thursday, May 12, 2016, from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Main Branch of the Boone County Public Library on Burlington Pike.
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Gray & Pape staff who assisted with this project: Brian Mabelitini, Morgan Wampler, Donald Handshoe, Carly Meyer, Sarah Holland, Mike Striker.
Additional acknowledgements: Gray & Pape would like to thank Bridget Striker at the Boone County Public Library, Matt Becher at the Boone County Planning Commission, and Don Clare at the Rabbit Hash Historical Society for their interest and assistance with this research. We are very grateful to Mr. George Budig for allowing us to conduct this research on his property, and to Mr. Dickey Boh and Mr. Terry Sawyer for sharing their knowledge of the area. We also extend our gratitude to Scott Clark, Kaitlin Barber, and Hillary Delaney for their invaluable assistance. Special thanks to Dr. George Crothers and the University of Kentucky for use of the Ground-Penetrating-Radar (GPR) device.