Locational Reconnaissance at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Mentor, Lake County, Ohio

In July 1990, the Midwest Archeological Center and the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History, under the terms of a Cooperative Agreement, conducted archeological excavations at
the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio. These investigations were
prompted by the proposed renovation of the Garfield horne and the relocation of the parking
lot. The investigations focused on five general areas: the main house, the carriage house and
gas works (or gas holder), the campaign office, the existing parking area, and the proposed
parking area.
Testing in the area of the main house revealed the presence of a builder's trench along
the foundation. These preliminary excavations did not, however, lend any additional insights
into the structural evolution of the house. Work behind the campaign office, on the other hand,
demonstrated that the substantial remains of a former structure, most likely an ice house, lie
just below the ground surface. Examination of the carriage house and gas works resulted in
the discovery of a deep foundation adjacent to the frame carriage house. This suggests the
possibility that an earlier version of the gas works was partially razed when the carriage house
was built, using its more substantial foundation.
Furthermore, significant archeological deposits were discovered beneath the stable floor.
Prehistoric occupation of the area is indicated by the discovery of a Whittlesey tradition
projectile point and several chert flakes in the area of the proposed parking lot. In light of the
significant subsurface archeological resources present at the James A. Garfield National
Historic Site, it is recommended that additional archeological excavation be undertaken, should
further restoration of the site require ground disturbance.