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A cultural resources inventory and impact assessment was conducted by Pacific Archaeological Sciences Team (PAST), Encino, for a 47.16 acre property in the community of Lake Isabella, Kern County, California. This archaeological study was deemed necessary because cultural resources are known to exist in the surrounding area, and because the proposed development of the property could have a direct impact on resources located there or an indirect impact on resources located nearby. The investigation, commonly referred to as a Phase I archaeological survey, included a complete records search for the subject property from the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS), Southern San Joaquin Valley Information Center at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB), a reconnaissance-level field examination of the property, and the preparation of a technical report which related the findings of the study and presents a set of recommendations for archaeological resources according to Appendix K of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as amended. Additionally, the California Native American Heritage Commission was also contacted to perform a records search of the Sacred Lands files and to identify Native American Contacts in the subject area. Overall, survey conditions were considered extremely poor as the majority of the ground surface was obscured by a dense growth of grassy annuals. During the survey, one historic site, the remains of the old Scovern Hot Springs Hotel complex, was discovered on the subject property. Six separate features were identified as part of this historic site. Feature 1 is the remains of an above ground, concrete-lined swimming pool (Photo 2). Feature 2 is the concrete foundation of an outbuilding which may be the remains of a shower facility. Feature 3 is the remains of another possible outbuilding which may represent a boiler room, or other maintenance facility. Feature 4 is a capped spring complex, surrounded by a concrete foundation and a series of 10 square concrete footings (Photo 3). Feature 5 is another capped spring complex (Photo 4). The cap fixture is placed inside of a square pool which captures the flow of the water and is surrounded by concrete slabs with red top coating which form a patio area around the pool. Feature 6 is composed of four foundations which were most likely guest houses associated with the Scovern Hotel. Although no prehistoric materials or features were discovered during the survey, archival information suggests that a hamlet may have been located on the subject property at the springs. Voegelin (1938: 41-43) records the name pasgestap as a Palagewan site located at the hot springs at the east edge of Hot Springs Valley with the Southeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 26 South, Range 33E. The location of this site was visited in 1932 by Voegelin and one of his informants. At that time, the site was unoccupied; however, an estimated population of 40 people was given (ibid.). On the basis of the archival data contained in Voegelin (1938) and the field identification of six historic features on the subject property, information on these cultural resources was documented on the appropriate site record forms and submitted to the CHRIS Information Center at CSUB. The site, which was recorded as a possible prehistoric component, as well as the remains of the old Scovern Hot Springs resort, was assigned the Primary Number of P-15-006294. |
