Sheldon Reservoir - excavation in October 1938 - see Exhibit #3

During the expansion of the Sheldon Reservoir, a covered water reservoir owned by the City of Pasadena, a large stone bowl was uncovered. The Southwest Museum was called and excavations undertaken in an area of about 30’ by 80’.

Two distinct levels of very badly preserved human remains in were discovered at the site. The finds comprised the remains of over 50 adults (the bones of children would probably not have been preserved given soil conditions.) In addition, about 10 stone cairns, piles of 35 to 200 orange size stones and broken worked stone, were found about 10’ north of the burials. These stone deposits had apparently originally been buried in shallow pits.

A village site is said to have once existed north of the Sheldon Reservoir finds based on artifacts discovered during the late 19^th and early 20^th century in nearby citrus groves.

The Sheldon Reservoir expansion was completed in early 1939 and the archaeological site was eliminated as a result of excavation of the reservoir. The purported village site is now under the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at about the Lincoln Avenue grade separation.

Sources: The Sheldon Reservoir is easily identifiable as it is still an active City of Pasadena reservoir located on City owned property. Site photographs that are found in the field notes, as well as in contemporary newspaper articles, were used to determine the relative location of excavation units.