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Region 1

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Meet the Regional Director — Joe D. Rogers

Regional News — June 2007

Archeology in the Panhandle

We have had a wonderfully wet spring his year which is welcome change from the drought and fires of last year.  In some cases this has hampered survey work due to heavy cover, but it makes digging easier.

Our region has been in contact with the Field School Committee and continues to prepare for the 2008 TAS Field School.  Dr. Scott Brosowske of Perryton is doing an enormous amount of work in that area identifying a variety of sites and several of these will be included in next year’s FS.

Doug Wilkens, also of Perryton, continues the work on the “Indian Springs” site 41RB81.  This is the site that was featured in the last issue of Current Archeology by Brett Cruse.  Another week of excavations in early May by several TAS members along with PAS and local volunteers revealed more about this bit of an enigma.

TAS members Rolla Shaller and Dr. Jeff Indeck and others associated with the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum have been working with Texas Parks and Wildlife to survey many areas in and around Palo Duro Canyon.  The work on the Red River Wars in still in progress and a major survey of the Mackenzie Battlefield was held in May.  Another survey was held to document the status of many of the structures created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.  Newly acquired lands for the park have presented new opportunities for further survey in this exciting natural wonder.

TAS member Alvin Lynn is working on his book on the military trails and camps of the Canadian River Valley and has interviewed (almost everybody) descendents of Kit Carson in his study for this much anticipated work.

Work continues with land owners along the Tierra Blanca watershed to trace the history of this veritable highway across the Llano Estacado from Palo Duro Canyon to the far off country of New Mexico (That’s A Joke Son!!)  One of the Ranch owners along the border is hosting a survey from a major university investigating Coronado’s route and possible camps using state of the art detection systems.

We have been in contact with the TAS Archeological Academy Committee in renewing the possibilities of hosting a 101 session possibly in February of ’08 to aid in the publicizing of the upcoming FS in the area.

As always we are working on increasing membership in TAS and anticipate an increase in the area due to the upcoming FS.

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Joe D. Rogers     E-mail at region01@txarch.org

I am educator (History teacher) of 29 years and also have a background in mechanics, electronics, and wood working.  This year's teaching schedule includes World History and AP/ Dual Credit U. S. History.  I am currently the Social Studies Department Chair at Hereford High School in Hereford, Texas (Panhandle).  I was recently honored as 2001–2002 Teacher of the Year for Region XVI (Panhandle) (Same as Region I TAS).

My wife of 28 years is Cindy, who also teaches, and I have two daughters; Jessica (31) and Joscelyn (14) …don't ask.  We live in a hundred-year-old (in 2006) home and it is a constant work in progress.  I am life-long resident of the Llano Estacado which would be ? years.

I have always been interested in Archeology as part of the study of history, the house, and my collecting and restoring of antique woodworking tools.  A TAS member acquaintance of mine had tried to get me to attend Field School for several years, but the opportunity did not present itself until the lovely week at Marfa (2000).  I worked with Jim Warren for a week and learned more history in that week than in years of previous study.  I was hooked.  I returned to the Panhandle and joined the local society.  I found a wonderful group of people who instantly put me to work and I have not looked back since.  I worked on the Bowmer Project in 2001 with the best group of folks, and decided to return the following summer.  I enjoy survey, but really have a love for excavation (more tools!!!!!!).  Last year the Panhandle society and the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum Archeology staff (spelled Rolla ) nominated me to be a THC Steward and I have served in that capacity ever since.  All of this has allowed me to have some marvelous experiences with several groups to continue my education in Archeology because every trowel scrape is just like turning a page in the most wonderful history book of all.

For all that I have received from this organization, I felt the need to pay back in participation, and it for that reason that I have accepted the position of Regional Director for Region I, and I only hope that I can help the society.

Personal note:

You must realize that your personal involvement with my time in TAS has been a significant reason for my excitement about the organization and for that …………………………….

Thanks!

Joe D.

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