The Illinois State Archaeological Survey recently assisted with an archaeological survey for the new Arthur Johnson Foundation Center in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Arthur Johnson Foundation was founded in 2001 by 7-time Golden Glove winner and 4-time World Champion boxer and East St. Louis native Arthur “Flash” Johnson and his wife LaTanya Johnson. The Foundation’s mission is to “give hope, vision and positive direction to our youth through the medium of athletics” and to rebuild inner-city communities by inspiring youth and assisting families experiencing crises.
The new center is being funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which necessitates an archaeological survey through compliance with the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act. As a state-funded community project, resources were limited, and the cost of a survey prohibitive. Working with the Johnsons, archaeologist Jane Lybarger (then with Lochmueller Group, now with Terracon) contacted ISAS, who on behalf of the Office of the State Archaeologist agreed to provide the survey at no cost as part of a community assistance effort.
Alleen Betzenhauser maps the soil profile of one of the test trenches.
This survey was of particular importance not only to support the Arthur Johnson Foundation and their mission, but because the future site of the new center is near the East St. Louis Precinct, a Terminal Late Woodland (900-1050 CE) and Mississippian (1050-1400 CE) mound and residential center that formed an important part of Greater Cahokia. ISAS’s previous compliance work at the East St. Louis Precinct ahead of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River uncovered thousands of structures, storage pits, and other features related to the 300-year occupation of the area. The new Arthur Johnson Foundation building will sit just outside of the East St. Louis Precinct, so it was important to verify that no cultural heritage would be impacted by the construction of the center.
In mid-February Dr. Erin Benson and Dr. Alleen Betzenhauser from ISAS’s American Bottom Field Station met on-site with the Johnsons and their contractor DJ Mernick of Inside Out Construction, who also agreed to donate his time, to complete the survey. Working in an open area and in between demolished 20th-century house foundations, Benson and Betzenhauser were able to verify that no archaeological resources would be impacted. The Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurred with ISAS’s findings, clearing the way for construction of the center to proceed.
The new center will be located at 501 North 11th St. in East St. Louis, Illinois, and is expected to be completed in the next year. The new building will be much larger than the existing building, allowing for expanded hours and for more youth to participate in the Foundation’s programs. If you are interested in supporting the Arthur Johnson Foundation, you can donate through their website at ArthurJohnsonFoundation.org.
