Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., personnel completed a records review and cultural resource survey of the Bomber Bayou Golf Course in Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. in June of 2025. The records review and cultural resource survey were conducted on behalf of the National Preservation Institute and the Department of Defense The property is owned by the federal government and has never been subject to cultural resource survey. The golf course is now closed and the base planning office decided to take this opportunity to survey the tract, although no future development is currently planned. The purpose of the survey was to assist the project proponents in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, 54 U.S.C. § 306108) as part of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 110 Surveys Project (2023-2028). Project records and all artifacts collected will be curated at the Barksdale Air Force Base’s curation facility. The records review was conducted between June 9 and 13, 2025, using files maintained by the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, Division of Archaeology. Thirteen previous cultural resource surveys were performed within 1.6 km (1.0 mi) of the project area, including one that overlapped the current project area. The overlapping survey was conducted in 1996 and 1997, and its methodology included an inventory of documented cultural resources and an assessment of undocumented cultural resources within the Barksdale Air Force Base to produce guidelines and procedures for their preservation. Given no excavation was conducted, no alteration was made to the survey coverage of the current project area. Two historic sites were recorded within 1.6 km (1.0 mi) of the project area, though neither fell within the current project area. A review of historic topographic maps and historic aerial photographs of the area indicated the presence of one historic structure, likely from the 1930s to the 1960s, near the center of the project area just southwest from Macks Bayou as well as the presence of other structures and roadways close to the project area, notably the Golf Course Club House, the Buff Event Center, and Barksdale Boulevard East and West. Field investigations were conducted from June 16 to June 27, 2025. The project area encompassed 44.5 ha (110.0 acres) and, as per the methodology specified by the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, was surveyed via pedestrian survey supplemented by shovel tests spaced every 30 m (98 ft) along transects spaced at 30 m (98 ft) intervals. Pedestrian survey of the project area resulted in the photographing of 36 locations within and directly adjacent to the project area, including historic and non-historic standing structures, roadways, landscaping features, and golf course related infrastructure. One intact standing structure was present within the project area, this being a modern (circa 1985 to 1998) octagonal bathroom structure near the center of the project area west-southwest of Macks Bayou. Most of the materials observed were associated with the historic and modern occupation of the Barksdale Air Force Base, construction of which began in 1931. As a result of the archaeological survey fieldwork, two archaeological sites (16BO679 and 16BO680), one isolated-find (LA-FS-2), and one non-site locality (LA-NSL-1) were documented. All these resources were historic in nature, and all likely associated with the historical use of Barksdale Air Force Base. Given the results of the fieldwork and analysis, the documented archaeological resources are believed to have low research potential and are not recommended for additional archaeological work. Moreover, all non-site localities, isolated finds, and archaeological sites are recommended not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the archaeological resources, five previously unrecorded architectural resources (Sites 1–5 08-03501–08-03505) were documented during the field survey. Sites 1 (08-03501), 2 (08- 03502), 4 (08-03504), and 5 (08-03505), and three resources associated with Site 3 (08-03503), a water tower (Resource A) and two utility buildings (Resources B and C), are recommended as noncontributing resources to the National Register of Historic Places-listed Barksdale Field Historic District. The sites and resources are also recommended as individually not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, B, or C. Two other resources associated with Site 3 (08-03503), a maintenance building (Resource D), and a valve house (Resource E), are recommended as contributing resources to the Barksdale Field Historic District under Criterion C as they are intact resources that illustrate simple French Colonial Revival style elements associated with the historic district. If future construction/project activities require the removal of one or both recommended-contributing resources (Site 3, Resources D and E) or if such activities would potentially damage either resource (through blasting vibrations or otherwise), the proposed project would result in an adverse effect. If the contributing resources are avoided and remain undamaged from future project activities, the proposed project would result in no adverse effect.
Simon Zika (Wed,) studied this question.