Selected Artifacts

The Nate Harrison Historical Archaeology Project

Palomar Mountain - San Diego, California
The Official Site of the SDSU Historical Archaeology Field School

Selected Artifacts

Of the 6, 162 artifacts uncovered during the 2004 summer excavation season, this report spotlights a handful of the finds. These individual items were not chosen through any rigorous sampling means; they were merely selected on the basis of the interesting stories they suggest about Nate Harrison and the times and ways in which he lived. In addition, the authors endeavored to choose a diverse range of artifacts. Each year the technical report will provide summaries of the overall assemblage and detail a handful of items in this manner.

Ironstone water pitcher (NH5D, 5E, 11A, 18A)

Excavators uncovered many large sherds of a large Ironstone water pitcher both inside and outside of the cabin (Figure 115). Many of these pieces crossmended to form over half of the original form of the vessel (Figure 116). The pitcher is 9.0” tall, 5.1” in diameter, and ¼” thick. It dates from 1842-1930. Although the pitcher was undecorated, its base contained part of a maker’s mark (Figure 117). The mark is incomplete, but it reads: “MAD ONE TUNSTALL CHI” and likely dates to the late 19th century. Investigations of historical catalogs have revealed the names of dozens of Tunstall potters, but as of yet, no corresponding maker’s marks have been identified.
Many written stories and oral histories about Nate Harrison emphasize his water claim and how he would bring water to weary tourists traveling up the mountain by horse or car. In addition, numerous historical photos picture Harrison next to his spring. The Ironstone pitcher may have played a role in his water-delivering practices.

Flow Blue plate sherd (NH18A)

A small sherd from a Flow blue plate was also uncovered at the site (Figure 118). It measures 1 ½” by 1” and dates from 1840-1910. The sherd’s border is lightly scalloped. In addition, there appears to be a leaf below the border, suggesting that it was part of a floral pattern. Floral patterns on Flow Blue were more common during the middle and late Victorian stages, which date to 1860-80 and 1880-1910 respectively.

Leather shoe (NH13C)

On the final day of excavation, the archaeological crew uncovered a nearly complete leather shoe from the interior fill of the cabin (Figure 119). Although pieces of other shoes had been excavated in other units, this shoe was by far the most complete, measuring 9” in length, 2 8/16” in height, and 3 1/6” in width. It was complete except for the front upper portion and the tongue. The shoe’s iron shank is still present. The heel of the shoe is made up of many small vertical nails, most of which are intact. Some of the shoe’s grommets are also still present.
Close examination of many of the historical photographs of Nate Harrison reveals that this shoe is striking similar to the footwear worn by Harrison during his time on the mountain (See figures 28, 29, 30, 31, 36, 38, 50, 51, 52, 53, 59, 60, and 63). In addition, the smallness of the shoe—its 9”length—corresponds with Harrison’s diminutive stature in the old photos and his recorded height of 5’ 3” on the 1894 voting registration form.

Murine Eye Remedy bottle (NH8A)

One of the patio units contained a complete Murine Eye Remedy bottle in the top layer of its fill. This small bottle is 3 8/16” in height and 13/16” in diameter (Figure 120). It has a molded vertical seam up the sides, but the seam stops before the rim and base. The glass is clear and the side of the bottle is embossed with the letters “MURINE EYE REMEDY CHICAGO U.S.A.” It also has an embossed “8” on its base.
The Murine Eye Remedy Company operated out of Chicago in the late 19th century and produced a bottled elixir that would allegedly refresh, cleanse, and strengthen overexposed eyes. These small bottles date to the last quarter of the 19th century, and the one found at the Nate Harrison site is likely from the 1890s. An advertisement for this bottled eye tonic appears in the 1888 version of Mary Jane Holmes’s The Homestead on the Hillside, published by G. W. Dillingham (Figures 121 and 122). The advertisement states:
Try Murine Eye Remedy
To Refresh, cleanse and Strengthen the Eye.
To Stimulate the
circulation of the blood
Supply which
Nourishes the Eye, and
Restore a Healthful
Tone to Eyes Enfeebled by Exposure to
Strong Winds, Dust,
Reflected Sunlight
and Eye Strain.
To Quickly Relieve
Redness, Swelling
and Inflamed
Conditions.
Murine is compounded in the Laboratory of
the Murine Eye Remedy Co., Chicago, by Oculists,
as used for years in Private Practice, and is Safe
and Pleasant in its Application to the most
Sensitive Eye, or to the Eyes of a nursing Infant.
Doesn’t Smart.
Murine is a Reliable Relief for All Eyes that
Need Care.
Your Druggist sells Murine Eye Remedies. Our Books
mailed Free, tell you all about them and how to use them.
May be sent by mail at following prices.
Murine Eye Remedy……………………..25c., 50c., $1.00
Deluxe toilet Edition—for the Dressing Table.. 1.25
Tourist-Autoist-in Leather Case…………………..1.25
Murine Eye Salve in Aseptic Tubes……….25c., 1.00
Granuline-For Chronic Sore Eyes and Trachoma 1.50
MURINE EYE REMEDY CO.
Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, CHICAGO, U.S.A.
The late 19th century advertisement lists a number of eye-straining environmental conditions that correspond with Harrison’s daily life on the mountain. It specifies exposure to strong winds, dust, and intense sunlight that are commonplace atop Palomar Mountain. However, the title of the book in which the advertisement ran—Homestead on the Hillside—is merely an eerie coincidence. Although Harrison’s cabin was a hillside homestead, the story was written in 1855 and set in the Ohio Valley.

Jelly jar #1 (NH5E)

A fully intact jelly jar was uncovered on its side in layer NH5E of the cabin’s southwest corner unit. It is 3 9/16” tall; the diameter of its mouth is 2 10/16” and its base measures 1 15/16” across (Figure 123). The jar is capped with an iron lid that does not maintain a complete seal. When the jar was initially recovered it was nearly half full of liquid. The liquid quickly evaporated in the lab. During the laboratory cleaning process, the jar took in water and, in turn, released water, indicating that the lid was not sealed and that the water in the jar at the time of its discovery was likely from seasonal rains at the site.
The jar is pressed glass with the only visible seam around the base of the jar. The jar has no maker’s mark or other identifying marks on its base. The glass is clear with a light purple opalescent film. The jar’s pattern is distinct. It has two lines that circumscribe the vessel approximately a quarter of the way down from the lip. The top line is triple the height of the bottom line. Each of the lines consists of fine vertical lines that repeat in close formation. The bottom third of the jar contains 16 large flutes that encircle the vessel base.
Excluding the complete vessel, there are at least seven additional jelly jars represented in the collection. Each of the vessels has a distinctive pattern that is distinguishable from the others, yet most resemble the form of the first jar. Jars similar to the ones uncovered at the Nate Harrison site are listed in the 1898 Sears catalog. Although the catalog’s jars—called Jelly Tumblers and Jelly Jars—lack any patterns or designs, they share the same overall dimensions. The jars from the site could have had a variety of uses. Their primary function was likely storage of foodstuffs and other household items.

Gordon’s Dry Gin bottle (NH13C)

Excavators uncovered a large fragment of a Gordon’s Dry Gin bottle along the interior south wall of the cabin. The sherd is 2 14/16” wide and pale green in color (Figure 124). The letters “GO DRY ENGLAND” are embossed on its side, and there is an illegible mark on its base (Figure 125). This bottle dates to the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Figure 126). There are multiple written accounts and oral histories of travelers bringing Harrison alcohol as gifts and paying him in liquor for the water he brought.

Skeleton key (NH5A)

Less than two feet from where the front door of Harrison’s cabin once stood, the archaeological crew found an iron skeleton key. It measures 3 4/16” in length and 1” wide (Figure 127). The key has a looped end, and its shaft may have had decorative rings. In addition, the working end of the key has diamond shaped indentations.

1916 Buffalo nickel (NH13A)

The top layer of NH13 contained a 1916 Buffalo head nickel (Figure 128). The coin has an Indian head, the word “Liberty,” and the date on its face. On the reverse is a buffalo and the words “United States of America,” “Five cents,” and “S.” This coin was minted in San Francisco. Buffalo head nickels were minted from 1913-1938. The 1916 production date of this coin serves as the site’s terminus post quem. The TPQ is determined by the artifact with the latest date of production and signifies the absolute date after which the site was definitively occupied.

Watch fob (NH8A)

A nickel watch fob was found in the top layer of the patio area of the site. It is 6 8/16” long and 1 8/16” wide (Figure 129). The chain is not complete; it has two additional chains coming off of a hook near the finished end. In addition, each link is embossed with a pattern. Harrison is pictured in numerous old photographs with a watch fob (See figures 34, 36, 38, 50, 51, and 60). Although none of the chains in the historical photos seem to be the exact fob recovered archaeologically, they are strikingly similar.

Alarm clock cover plate and gears (NH2A, 14A, 23A)

At least four pieces to an alarm clock were found scattered across the top layer of the patio area (Figure 130). These included two 1 1/6” diameter gears with crimped exterior edges and five-pointed stars on their interior. There was also a main wheel 1 8/16” in diameter that has an interior switch for a smaller gear and a finished hole. The back of the alarm clock has six punched holes. Its side is attached to the back plate and its overall dimensions are 4” in diameter and 8/16” wide.
Late 19th- and early 20th-century alarm clocks frequently consisted of a series of interior gears and springs (Figure 131). The 1870s saw the development of the round metal case lever-escape alarm clock. The Seth Thomas Clock Company patented the small, mechanical, wind-up bedside alarm clock in 1876. Spring-driven alarm clocks became prominent in the late 1870s for their durability and size (Figure 132). They surged in popularity as time zones became standardized across the globe. Americans became much more aware of the need for keeping continual track of time. Harrison’s omnipresent watch fob and alarm clock suggest that even though he lived in a remote frontier area his possessions still reflected this growing concern for paying close attention to time.

Silver-plated silverware (NH2A)

One of the patio units adjacent to the cabin contained two pieces of silver-plated silverware, one serving spoon and one fork (Figure 133). The spoon, 8 4/16” long and 10/16” wide, has a rounded handle with scalloped floral decorations. The fork, 7 8/16” long and 1” wide, has four tines and a highly decorated fan-shaped handle. Both utensils have prominent back marks. The fork’s mark is “PETERSONS R.B.” The spoon reads, “S.F. ROGERS XII.” At first glance, this mark seems to refer to the Rogers Brothers Company, one of the premiere silver-plated ware producers of the 19th century. However, analysis of their advertisements reveals that other companies produced many Rogers Brothers imitations during this time. The 1898 Sears catalog contains a Rogers Brothers advertisement that warns its consumers: “Do not be deceived by allowing any dealer to sell you any other Rogers’ goods, claiming that they are the same or as good. These goods are all stamped ‘Rogers Bros. 1847’ and no goods without that stamp are genuine” (Israel 1967:443). This disclaimer implies that the spoon found at the Harrison site is likely a cheaper imitation piece of silverware.

Horseshoe (NH7A)

One of the patio units also contained a fully intact horseshoe (Figure 134). Its rounded shape, 5 8/16” long by 5 6/16” wide, suggests that it dates to the mid- to late 1800s (Figure 135). The shoe is corroded and the nail holes are not visible. In addition, the top left edge is worn. Many written accounts refer to Harrison and the white horse he frequently rode around the mountain and down into the valley.

Rubber tobacco pipe mouthpiece (NH13B)

Excavators uncovered one of Harrison’s tobacco pipe mouthpieces in the upper layers of the cabin fill. Made of rubber, the mouthpiece is 3 4/16” long and 1” wide. The pipe mouthpiece is intact, although its square middle chamber is clogged (Figure 136). Harrison’s pipe is evident in many of the historical photos (See figures 29, 36, and 50).

Graphite pencil lead (NH5B)

The southwest interior corner unit of the cabin included a sharpened graphite pencil lead in its upper fill. The pencil lead is 1 9/16” long and 6/16” wide (Figure 137). Although many of the historical records emphasize that Harrison was illiterate, the final census on which he appeared mentioned that he could write. Perhaps this graphite pencil lead reflects the writing skills that Harrison developed late in life.

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