Gladstone Shops of the St. Paul and Duluth R.R.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the cleared roundhouse site

Archaeo-Physics conducted a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey and Lidar analysis of a 19th century railroad roundhouse and associated shops in Maplewood, Minnesota.

The survey was undertaken as part of development for the Gladstone Savanna Neighborhood Preserve and Gloster Park.

Left: GPR survey in progress over the roundhouse. This portion of the site had been recently cleared of forest cover.

The planned park integrates the site’s railroad history, soil remediation, stormwater management, natural resources, and passive and active (playground) recreation. The park master plan may be viewed here (gladstone master plan).

The primary objective of the investigation was to assess the integrity of the buried archaeological resources prior to potential impacts to the site associated with remediation of contaminated soils and grading.

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey

GPR time slice showing labeled features visible in the 3d animation.

The Results of the GPR survey are shown above as time slices. Numerous closely closely-spaced lines of GPR data into a 3 dimensional model. Time slicing is planview mapping isolating specific depth ranges, as defined by the travel time of the GPR signal. The animation on the left allows visualization of features with changing depth. Major features of the historic railroad shops are labeled in the image above right, a static time slice at an estimated depth of 73cm below surface.

Airborne LiDAR Data Processing and Analysis

Lidar modeling of microtopography and vegetation. Hillshade and image maps.

This sequence of images presents LiDAR and GPR data from the location of buried 19th century railroad roundhouse foundations.

Image 1 = discrete response LiDAR data with ground surface and near surface vegetation shown in grey-scale and trees, brush and buildings shown in reds and yellows.

Image 2 = bare earth LiDAR. Note: outline of the roundhouse and central turntable are visible after removing tree canopy returns.

Image 3 = bare earth LiDAR image with GPR data from 73 cm below surface

This investigation was funded by a Minnesota Legacy grant.

On November 4, 2008 Minnesotans approved through referendum the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to add Article XI to the Minnesota State Constitution. The amendment raised the state’s sales and use taxes 0.375% to fund programs meant to “restore, protect and enhance” wilderness lands, wildlife, water quality, state parks and trails, arts, arts education, arts access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. This research project is funded by a Historical and Cultural Grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment. more>>

The planned park integrates the site’s railroad history, soil remediation, stormwater management, natural resources, and passive and active (playground) recreation. The park master plan may be viewed here (gladstone master plan).

The primary objective of the investigation was to assess the integrity of the buried archaeological resources prior to potential impacts to the site associated with remediation of contaminated soils and grading.

This investigation was funded by a Minnesota Legacy grant.

On November 4, 2008 Minnesotans approved through referendum the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to add Article XI to the Minnesota State Constitution. The amendment raised the state’s sales and use taxes 0.375% to fund programs meant to “restore, protect and enhance” wilderness lands, wildlife, water quality, state parks and trails, arts, arts education, arts access, and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. This research project is funded by a Historical and Cultural Grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment. more>>