A Cultural Resource Survey of the Columbus, Georgia Riverfront from the City Wharf to Oglethorpe Bridge

In late January 1993 an archeological survey and archival research study was made in Columbus, Georgia on the Chattahoochee River bank from the old City Wharf south to the Oglethorpe Bridge. This is the northern half of the Columbus Water Work's proposed CSO Southern Conveyance Sewer Line. The line extends south of the Oglethorpe Bridge to the State Docks, although this southern half of the line was not surveyed. The proposed new sewer line and landscaping closely follow the existing sewer line which is located on the lower shelf of the river bank. The research indicated that an old boat yard, which became the Confederate Navy Boat Yard during the Civil War, was located on the lower bank between 5th and 7th Streets in the project area. The survey was conducted primarily along the lower shelf and in one area on top of the high bank in an area north of 6th Street on Front Ave where a proposed diversion structure is planned. No physical evidence of the boat yard or any other site was detected; a single brick pier was located north of the amphitheater on the lower river bank due west of the Flag Pavilion and 7th Street. The survey report recommended intensive subsurface archeological testing in the vicinity of the boat yard and at several nearby locations to look for intact subsurface remains. Because the boat yard area had received considerable filling over the years, it was recommended that test excavations be done with a backhoe. A testing scheme of four backhoe trenches was recommended; three were to be on the lower bank and one on the upper bank near Front Avenue.

The backhoe testing was conducted during the week of March 29 through April 2, 1993. The three trenches excavated on the lower bank were each approximately 15 ft wide and 20 ft to 70 ft in length. Trench depths averaged 12 ft below surface, although depths of 16 to 18 ft were reached in two of the trenches. Water was encountered in each test trench at about 11 to 12 ft below surface. The trench excavated near Front Avenue measured 20 ft by 25 ft and was excavated to an average depth of 16 ft in the center, although the backhoe went to approximately 23 ft below surface in the very center of the trench.

The three trenches on the lower river bank showed varied stratigraphies, although each had a top zone of medium to dark brown silty clay loam representing backfill dirt from the original sewer line. Nineteenth century and modern artifacts were found mixed throughout the backfill zone. A 5 ft by 17 ft area of brick rubble and other late nineteenth century artifacts was encountered at 12 ft below surface in the test trench closest to the amphitheater. This zone, which appeared to be in a gully or wash area on the south side of the amphitheater, may possibly have been a remnant of the boat yard or secondary refuse dumped into the area. The trench was widened in all directions, but the artifact bearing zone appeared to be isolated.

Twenty shovel tests were dug prior to the excavation of the backhoe trench on Front Avenue. A low density of artifacts, which was primarily slag, was found in the shovel tests. The slag was associated with an abandoned rail spur in the project area. The trench showed a fairly homogeneous natural silty clay loam that extended to a depth of 22 ft below surface with no evidence of cultural materials.

The testing on the lower shelf indicated that construction of the current sewer line severely impacted any cultural resources that may have been present on the lower shelf. Construction of the amphitheater on the widest part of the boat yard also may have disturbed the boat yard. It is recommended that construction of the sewer line can proceed as planned.

It is advised that construction activities affecting the river bottom and edge in the vicinity of the amphitheater (boat yard) should be avoided since an underwater archeological survey located historic features in this area. Also, any plans to impact the upper bank edge from the amphitheater north to the Trade Center Parking Garage should also be preceded by an archeological survey and testing.

Historical documentation indicated that numerous historical activities also took place below Oglethorpe Bridge. In this area along the river and extending away from the river were: Kennard's Crossing, the earliest historic (EuroAfrican) settlement in Columbus, Wewoka, the Mary Freeman Boat Landing, a lower boat yard, the City Hospital, a City Dump, and possible Indian occupations spanning 10,000 years.