SCS’s Green Street Blog Series: Part IV
In our Green Street blog series, SCS helps identify and avoid potential environmental issues and sometimes surprises on redevelopment or voluntary remediation sites. In Part IV, we uncovered another buried surprise, a hidden treasure for the community, historical artifacts.
During the Green Street property clean-up, SCS discovered antique bottles, sparking even more excitement in the community. Unearthing these hidden treasures shed light on the area’s history and ignited a sense of curiosity and wonder among residents and historians alike.
The antique bottles, discovered while managing the impacted soils, were collected and cleaned with the help of two local Boy Scouts, and we hope future SCS professionals. SCS Senior Project Manager Mike Dustman says, “With the help of my two boys, who received scouting service hour credit for their efforts, we cleaned over 300 antique bottles. The boys diligently worked alongside me, carefully cleaning each bottle to reveal its unique history and beauty.”
The sheer quantity of bottles and the boys’ dedication impressed the Lee’s Summit team, who asked for a photo of the boys cleaning bottles and in their scouting uniforms to showcase their amazing discovery.
Interestingly, these historical artifacts are not native to the site, suggesting they arrived possibly in fill from a previous period, adding another layer of mystery to the discovery. Uncovering these antiques provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and brings the community together in shared discovery and appreciation for local history.
The artifacts, spanning various periods, served multiple purposes. Among the finds were ketchup, beer, wine, soda, and whiskey bottles; apothecary and cosmetic bottles; ink wells; and insecticide jugs. Each one tells a story, reflecting the daily lives and practices of those who used them. These containers offer a glimpse into the past, revealing everyday items’ diverse uses, from the mundane to the medicinal.
Phase I of Green Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is scheduled for completion in June, adding a vibrant addition to the community, including a farmers market, event space, outdoor performance area, a beautifully landscaped pavilion, and now a peek into our local history.
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About the Author: Michael (Mike) Dustman is an environmental project manager with remedial design activities, building inspection, site assessments, and field training. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of relevant and applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and protocols. Mike has served numerous local agencies and private clients, including the USEPA Region 4 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team. Mike is a certified asbestos project designer, management planner, and building inspector, a certified air sample professional, and a certified lead-based paint inspector and lead risk assessor.
