The Ancient History of Savich Field
If you grew up in Evesham Township in the late 1980’s to present day, then you likely played recreational sports at Savich Field. Located on East Main Street across from the Indian Spring Country Club resides the playing fields, equipped with a large gravel parking lot, soccer nets as far as the eye can see, and freshly painted lines to signify in and out of bounds. To the naked eye, this location may not seem like much, but it does, surprisingly, have a rather expansive and mysterious history associated with it.
The history of the Savich Field realistically begins around an estimated 2300 BC, which falls into the Archaic period. The Archaic period, in short, refers to a period of time where the economy was generally supported without any form of currency, and specifically focuses on the exploitation of nuts, seeds, and shellfish. Savich Field was home to an unknown civilization during this time period, and was an ideal location potentially due to the open land and access to fresh water in the creek. The Archaic period ended with the adoption of sedentary farming, in which the date varies throughout different parts of the continent.
Many hundreds of years later, the area was home to community of Lenni-Lanpe Indians who are an indigenous tribe of Native Americans who generally were located throughout the Delaware Valley, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Maryland. The tribe had a very strong presence in South Jersey, founding many communities and leaving long-lasting influences on the area. For example, the multiple school Lenape Regional High School District was named in honor of the tribe’s ties to the area.
An archaeological excavation of the site, then called the J. Orville Evans farm, was completed in October of 1936 by the Indian Site Survey. The exact site was approximately 570 sq. ft., and many artifacts were uncovered, including atlatl weights and fragments from them, as well as many shaft smoothers used to contruct spears and weaponry.
In August of 1966, another excavation was started. At approximately 1,250 sq. ft., this excavation was much larger than the first one that was completed 30 years earlier. It produced 14 stone artifacts and 9 potsherds. To follow up this investigation, another portion of the field was dug up in September of 1967, once again revealing multiple other artifacts.
The final excavation took place in December of 1968 over a space of 3,795 sq. ft. and proved to be the most revealing of the history of the location. In total, 14 ceramic refuse and/or fire pits were uncovered, as well as 35 transitional Archaic period pits, leading to the understanding that there was an unknown civilization settled at the site around an estimated 2300 BC.
Among the items that were uncovered were mullers, hammerstones, atlatl weights, Celts, finished and unfinished points, and shaft smoothers. Most notably, a burial site was uncovered at nearly 12 feet of depth. Although it was greatly damaged during the excavation, most of the bones were able to be saved. 41 cremations were found at the site as well. (Bulletin of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, Vol. 32, Nos. 1 and 2, 1970/1971)
It is unclear and un-noted where these artifacts are presently being held, and if the single burial and 41 cremation graves were relocated to another burial ground. I do, however, believe it is pertinent that we understand and respect the history of this field, but I do think the respect can be upheld while taking part in the current recreational activities that Savich Field hosts. Maybe, one day, we can place a monument, reflecting and honoring the precious, and somewhat mysterious history of the location.
In terms of the modern history of Savich Field (20th and 21st century), it was home to a local farm, as mentioned earlier in this article, called the J. Orville Evans farm. The only standing piece left as a remind of the farm is the Evans-Cooper House which stands set back from Elmwood Road in the woods. Built between 1770 and 1841 by John Evans. Evans was a direct descendent of William Evans, who was John’s grandfather. William Evans was one of the first founders of Evesham/Marlton, and interestingly enough purchased the land that is modern day Savich Field from Margaret Cook of Philadelphia and King Himeson of the local Lenni-Lenape Tribe in 1701. It has unfortunately fallen into a state of disrepair, but was listed as a historical building in the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, and if i’m not mistaken, there are potential restoration plans in the works, at least, I hope so. (National Archives Catalog )
Here is a YouTube video that perfectly shows the current state of the house by Marty Reynolds.
PLEASE NOTE: the Evans-Cooper House, though mysterious and luring, is a private property, there is a distinguished fence-line and going past that fence-line is trespassing, so yes, don’t do that!
Further along the timeline of Savich Field, it became a dairy farm and also a dairy bar, serving ice cream to local patrons. In 1976, the property was sold to Evesham Township, along with all of the remaining buildings from the farm. Unfortunately enough, many of the buildings fell victim to vandalism, and eventually arson, in which they were subsequently lost. The original foundations of the farm and buildings related to it can still be seen today. In 1977, Savich Field was listed as part of the New Jersey Historic Register, and part of the National Historic Register in 1979. The field is currently used for recreational sports and community events. (Evesham Nostalgia, 2010.)
I live in Marlton, and played soccer on this field as a child, I have visited it many times throughout the years to kick around a soccer ball or hike through the trails in the woods, and I never had a clue how extensive the history of the location is. I find it fascinating that something that is so intertwined with my life was also so rich in historic value.
Thank you for reading, as always.
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