Cultural Resources Survey, Proposed Hazel Creek Reservoir and Dam Site Habersham County, Georgia

From February 15 through March 5, 1990, Robert S. Webb, Beth Gantt, Sterling Howard, Keith Hemphill and Tim Selby conducted an intensive coverage cultural resources survey of approximately 225 hectares (558 acres) in Habersham County, Georgia for Hayes, Jades & Associates, Inc. The project area is being considered as the site for a raw drinking water reservoir. Since the project would modify wetlands associated with Hazel Creek and its tributaries, a Corps of Engineers 404 permit is required. The permit dictates compliance with Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665; 80 STAT.915; 16 U.S.C. 470) as amended. A review of the state site files and the National Register of Historic Places revealed no previously recorded sites within the survey area. The Habersham County Historic Structures Survey files show a 19th century mill (Loudermilk/Ansley/Shorts Mill, Structure #113) along the edge of the project area. It will not be adversely impacted. Historic maps show 4, pre-1930 structures (including the mill) within or adjacent to the project area. All were relocated during the survey. Overall, background research, surface survey and shovel testing resulted in the discovery of 28 sites and 13 isolated finds including Archaic scatters, Woodland and/or Mississippian period camps/hamlets, Shorts Mill and 19th/ early 20th century house sites/scatters. It is the opinion of the principal investigator that 8 prehistoric sites will require additional work to determine National Register eligibility status, project effect and/or resource extent. Five sites (HB-1-11, 16, 17, 20 and 27) are "potentially eligible" and 3 sites (HB-1-2, 3 and 6) are "clearly eligible" for the National Register. Shorts Mill (HB-1-19) appears to be "clearly eligible" for the National Register, but is not within the project area. It will not be directly or indirectly impacted by project-related activities. Since the mill will be avoided, no further work is recommended unless it is subject to future impacts related to ancillary lake facilities construction. Cultural clearance is recommended for the remaining 19 resources.