Skip to main content

W. L. Atwood archaeological letters and map

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0178
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a series of letters and a map annotated by Mr. Atwood concerning his archaeological findings in the Galveston Bay area. In these letters, Mr. Atwood relates his knowledge of aboriginal spoil banks and other archaeological findings to Hardin Craig Jr. (librarian at Fondren Library) as well as H. A. Bernard of Shell Development Company and a Forest Supervisor in Louisiana. Also included in the collection is a map covered in marks which Mr. Atwood reveals in his letters to be Indian measurements, and that he has discovered that there was much more Indian activity in the area than previously thought by archaeologists. The area described is Stephen Creek.

Stephen Creek is at the junction of State Highway 156 and Farm Road 224 on Lake Livingston, seventy-five miles north of Houston in northeastern San Jacinto County. The nearby creek was named after Miles G. Stephen, a Georgia native who moved to the area after having first lived in what would become Polk County. Other early settlers who moved to the area before 1842 included Jim Hopkins, Arnett Harrell, and Dan Sellers. Most residents were small farmers who grew cotton and corn and raised hogs. The Stephen Creek post office opened in 1915 and was closed in 1954. The community's population was estimated to be twenty through the early 1960s. Since the completion of Lake Livingston Stephen Creek has grown. Still more residents live in the Holiday Shore development, which offers recreational opportunities on the lake. In 1990 the population of Stephen Creek was 135. Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Stephen Creek, Texas," http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/hns82.html (accessed April 8, 2009).

Dates

  • 1966

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the W. L. Atwood papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

Biographical / Historical

No further information is currently available for the author, W.L. Atwood.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet ( (1 folder))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection consists of a series of letters and a map annotated by Mr. Atwood concerning his archaeological findings in the Galveston Bay area.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a gift donated by Hardin C. Craig Jr. in 1966.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the W. L. Atwood archaeological letters and map, 1966
Status
Completed
Date
2009
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

Broaden your search:
Texas Archival Resources Online - statewide search of archival finding aids
ArchiveGrid - international search of archival finding aids
Scholarship.rice.edu - Rice University digital content

Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892