Archaeological Survey of the Lone Jack Battlefield Park, Jackson County, Missouri

The Lone Jack Historical Society and the Jackson County government have long been interested in nominating the Lone Jack Battlefield (23JA606) to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Currently, only 3.4 acres of the battlefield are protected. This includes the three acre Lone Jack Battlefield Park that contains the battle's burial trenches, and Lot 32 that contained the Cave Hotel, a prominent landmark of the battle. Thus, these 3.4 acres are the core area of the proposed NRHP boundary. A bucket auger survey at 15-meter intervals was performed across the park, in addition to a select area for [a] ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Another GPR survey area was located in Lot 32. Combined, the bucket auger and GPR surveys appear to have determined the location of a blacksmith shop (within the park) that was also a prominent battle landmark. In addition, GPR work in Lot 32 showed promising anomalies likely associated with the Cave Hotel. Evidence of a light prehistoric occupation and razed post-war residences were also discovered. For these reasons, the Lone Jack Battlefield Park and Lot 32 are recommended eligible for the NRHP.