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<br />Background <br /> <br />St. Cloud State University is the second-largest University in the State of Minnesota, and the <br />largest University in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, with approximately <br />700 faculty members and 16,000 students. With an Archaeo10gica11aboratory, a Cultural and <br />Environmental Landscapes Laboratory, and the Spatial Analysis Research Center (GIS lab), <br />SCSU is uniquely equipped to conduct archaeological research in Central Minnesota. <br /> <br />Prof. Rothaus has worked extensively in Europe, Asia and North America, and he is one of the <br />few individuals in Minnesota who meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Standards <br />for both prehistoric and historic archaeology. In Minnesota, Prof. Rothaus has focused his <br />research on issues of landscape history and cultural resource management in Central Minnesota, <br />focusing on the Mille Lacs and Elk River regions. In 2003 he completed a literature search of <br />prehistoric and historic Elk River, and created an archaeological probability model now being <br />used as by the City of Elk River as a planning tool. 1 In 2004, Prof. Rothaus conducted a Phase I <br />archaeological survey in Elk River which confIrmed the veracity of the probability model and <br />identifIed the fIrst known prehistoric sites in Elk River Township. Nine sites were added to the <br />offIcial state inventory of archaeological sites as a result of that survey. <br /> <br />SCSU is particularly interested in this project as it meshes well with our educational objectives, <br />the ongoing research activities of Prof. Rothaus and a continuing partnership with the City of Elk <br />River and the Sherburne County Historical Society. SCSU does not regular engage in <br />archaeological contract work, as our primary mission is teaching and research. This project, <br />however, corresponds nicely with that mission, and we consider this a "value-added" <br />opportunity. <br /> <br />While all work will be performed by qualifIed individuals fully paid for their time, SCSU will <br />involve both graduate and undergraduate students as possible. Of particular interest is using this <br />project to illustrate the real-world elements of archaeological fIeld work. Additionally, this <br />project calls for substantial public outreach and education. Not only does this fall within the <br />mission of SCSU, we are particularly eager to engage our students in public education, outreach <br />and service activities. We believe that students learn best from opportunities for civic <br />engagement within the context of their studies, and that by providing them with such <br />opportunities we are preparing the professionals of the future who will incorporate the ideals of <br />civic responsibility into their lives. <br /> <br />Site Description <br /> <br />Elk River First Sawmill (21 SH00051 ). <br /> <br />This site has been identifIed as the location of the fIrst sawmill and later the fIrst planing mill in <br />Elk River. See Locations 2 and 9 on Map 1, and Map 2. <br /> <br />1 R. Rothaus, 1. Haug, and 1. McFarlane, '''Prehistoric and Early Historic Heritage of Elk River, Minnesota: <br />Current Knowledge and Probability Modeling." Minnesota Archaeologist 63 (2004) 97-117. <br /> <br />2 <br />