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Weaver & Associates, LLC |
Memphis Cobblestone Landing
Preservation Planning, Archaeological Testing
Of all the great nineteenth century stone‑paved wharfs, the Memphis Landing is generally acknowledged to be the best preserved. Known affectionately as the Cobblestones, the Memphis Landing is situated along the east side of what is now the Wolf River Harbor. The stone pavement stretches about 2,000 feet between Court Avenue on the north and Beale Street on the south, and is between 215 and 120 feet wide. In its current exposure, the Landing covers an area of about 8.7 acres. The first major paving project occurred between 1859 and 1869 by John Loudon, a well-known contractor from Cincinnati, Ohio. The final phase of construction occurred ten years after, between 1879 and 1881, when the southern end of the Landing was paved between Union Avenue and Beale Street.
The staff at Weaver & Associates has been involved with preservation issues on the Cobblestones since 1994, and were instrumental in preparing a Cultural Resources Assessment and Preservation Plan for the property. Most recently, we conducted archaeological testing in preparation for construction of the pedestrian Riverwalk. In 2000, Weaver & Associates excavated 50 3x3 foot units with depths up to 6 feet along the entire eastern length of the Landing. In several units, compact, anerobic, gleyed, finely-stratified cultural deposits were encountered beneath the original layer of stones. These deposits contain numerous cultural features and mid-19th century artifacts. These original pre-pavement landing deposits are especially deep and rich at the northern end of the landing.
In 2001, machinery was used to remove the overburden, exposing the intact deposits in a block area measuring approximately 185 feet north-south by 20 feet east-west. Eight features, designated 12 through 19, were defined within Block 1, either intrusive into the old landing deposit, Stratum 7, or within it. Feature 18 was first thought to be a wood lined drain, but upon excavation proved to be a gang plank. The feature consisted of two cypress boards laid flat, and held in place by wooden stakes. The boards sat on, and were covered by Stratum 7, indicating their use on the muddy landing and the subsequent covering by alluvial deposition.
A similar situation was found with Features 12, 14 and 19. These are oval to circular, lens shaped refuse deposits. Feature 14 contained wood and coal, and could have been deposited from a steamboat tied up at the wharf. Feature 19 contained architectural materials, including brick, mortar, plaster, wood and slate roofing, and was obviously deposited from a burned structure near or on the waterfront. Feature 12 was perhaps the most interesting. It consisted of refuse associated with a tavern or other high-class eating establishment, judging from the amount and quality of the artifacts recovered. In all, 179 individual glass bottles were recognized. The most common were wine, constituting 43 percent of the assemblage, followed by liquor bottles at 33 percent. Smaller numbers of bottles for other uses were found, including medicine, food and condiments, toiletries and soft drinks. Vessels include both free blown and blown in mold examples.
Ceramic vessels from Feature 12 included 12 ginger beer bottles, 6 industrial stoneware bottles, 4 stoneware jars, and a stoneware jug. The refined earthenwares are almost exclusively undecorated ironstone serving vessels. Two French mustard jars are also included, as is a large ink bottle, manufactured by J. Bourne and Son, Ltd. for P&J ARNOLD/LONDON. The bottle can be dated between 1850 and 1860. Other ceramic backmarks from Stratum 7 can be dated between 1838 and 1851. One of the most common artifact classes recovered from Stratum 7 is shoes. Early visitors to the river complained of wading through deep, mule-and- cart-churned mud between the gangplank and solid land. Evidently, there were many incidences when walking on the levee meant leaving your footwear stuck in the mud. Shoes were randomly scattered throughout the deposit, and included workman’s brogans, lady’s high-tops, riding boots, as well as horse, pony and mule shoes—most in an excellent state of preservation.
The Memphis Landing is a rare historic resource that holds great value for our nation's river heritage. To ensure the Landing's continued existence in the face of natural erosion and proposed riverfront redevelopment, we are working with the City to enact informed management practices and practical design standards.
