Cultural Resources Assessment Proposed Bold Springs 230/25 Kv Substation Site Gwinnett County

R. S. Webb & Associates conducted a cultural resources assessment for Oglethorpe Power Corporation's proposed Bold Springs 230/25 kV substation site in May 1995. The cultural resources assessment was performed to locate and identify cultural resources within the project area and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria [36 CFR Part 60.4(d)]. The project area is located in Gwinnett County, north of the community of Bold Springs. The substation site covers approximately 3.2 hectares. Previous investigations in the central, Upper Piedmont (e.g., Caldwell 1953, 1957; Wauchope 1966; Ledbetter et al. 1987; Webb et al. 1992) have identified prehistoric resources dating to the Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and Historic periods. Cultural resource studies in the project vicinity suggest that Archaic and Late l9th/Early 20th century period resources are particularly common in the uplands (e.g., Caldwell and Kelly 1976; Braley 1987; Garner and Markham 1993). The assessment included a literature/records search and archeological and architectural field surveys of the substation site. A review of pertinent National Register files, historic structures files and archeological site files revealed that no National Register resources, previously recorded historic structures or known archeological sites are located within the project area. Historic maps show no 19th or Early 20th century structures located within the project area. However, a 1938 highway map, recent topographic maps and aerial photographs show two structural complexes immediately adjacent to the study tract. During the architectural survey, these buildings within the complexes were assessed and recommended as ineligible for the NRHP based on the lack of architectural and historical integrity. Three cultural resources were detected during the field survey of the proposed Bold Springs 230/25 kV substation site: one prehistoric and historic artifact scatter, one historic artifact scatter and one standing barn associated with one of the structural complexes. The two scatters were found in severely disturbed contexts while the barn appears to be a common architectural style. Given the survey findings, the three sites were recommended as ineligible for the NRHP.