Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Scenic Square Substation & Transmission Line

A cultural resources survey was conducted on a proposed 2.3 km (1.4 mi) long transmission line corridor and 2.0 ha (5.0 ac) substation tract in central Gwinnett County. The survey located two archeological sites within the project corridor and six standing structures within potential view of the proposed line. One site (9GW279) is a prehistoric lithic scatter and the other (9GW280) is a razed historic house site. Both of these sites have been heavily disturbed by road grading and construction. Neither of the archeological sites exhibits sufficient artifact density or other indicators to suggest that meaningful research could be carried out. These two sites are recommended as not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The survey also documented and evaluated six standing structures that appeared to be at least 50 years old. Four of these are altered examples of very common house types and are recommended not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. None are associated with historic persons, events, or themes and none appear architecturally significant. Two structures (Structures 3 and 4) are recommended eligible to the National Register of Historic Places, at the local level of significance. Structure 4 is recommended eligible for its architecture (criterion c) and association with important persons (criterion b). Structure 4 is a house, the core of which is of log construction and probably dates to the 1840s. Clapboard siding overlies the log construction and forms the siding for the two additions. The structure is recommended eligible principally because it is one of a very few log (or log core) structures in rapidly developing Gwinnett County. While derelict and slightly deteriorated, it still retains integrity of design, materials and feeling. The proposed transmission line will cross Webb Gin House Road in front of Structure 4. The proposed construction and maintenance of the transmission line will have no direct physical effect on the structure but probably will have an adverse visual effect. We recommend that this effect can be mitigated by careful, restricted clearing of the 7.6 m (25 ft) wide transmission line corridor in the vicinity of the house. This should preserve the existing screening and would not substantially alter the existing pattern of vegetation. Structure 3 is a late nineteenth century house that has deteriorated and lost integrity of materials and design. While judged not eligible on architectural grounds, it is recommended eligible under criteria b (persons) as it was an integral part of the Cates farm. Because the proposed line is on the other side of Webb Gin House Road and because of existing screening vegetation that will remain in place, we believe the proposed line will not constitute an adverse visual effect on Structure 3.