ACS recently completed a two-year project (2006-2008) for the City of Tempe to investigate, document, and provide historic preservation guidance for the Hayden Flour Mill in preparation for its redevelopment. The project involved both Phase 1 data recovery (data testing) and Phase 2 data recovery. As part of this large project, ACS conducted archaeological testing and data recovery, archival research, historic context development, a historic architecture investigation, architectural history, historic preservation planning, and educational outreach services for the Hayden Flour Mill property. The site includes the archaeological remnants of the Terraced Butte site, a prehistoric Hohokam archaeological site, and the original Tempe townsite, Hayden’s Ferry, as well as the visually prominent Hayden Flour Mill Building, grain elevator, and silos.
GIS was used during the Hayden Flour Mill project in several ways. Mapping data collected daily were converted into GIS point, line, and polygon features representing archaeological artifacts and features, investigative units, and profiles. In addition, project planning was facilitated by georeferencing historic Sanborn Fire Insurance maps representing several stages of historic development of downtown Tempe. Features digitized from these maps assisted project managers with placing investigative units to target specific historic features (such as the early 1900′s jail known as the calaboose). ACS was also able to integrate data obtained from 3D laser scans of the Mill (exterior and interior) into the GIS for the project. These data were used to create maps of floor plans of the interior which accurately displayed the position of milling equipment. 3D laser scan data were also used to create GIS features related to a deeply situated historic arch that could not be mapped using traditional methods due to health and safety concerns.
Throughout the project, ACS collaborated closely with the City of Tempe Community Development Department; Tempe Historic Preservation Commission; the Hayden Flour Mill Committee; the developers, Avenue Communities; and their architects. The final report consists of three volumes, comprising a total of over 1,600 pages of text, images, and data appendices.
