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A Cultural Resource Survey of the Proposed Occupational Training Center, O. I. C. - Atlanta, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia. Our Project Number Es-1056

Author(s)
Report Number
128
Year of Publication
1978
County
Abstract

The purpose of this project was to locate, identify, and assess the cultural resources to be impacted by construction of the O.I.C. Atlanta, Inc. Occupational Training Center in Land Lot 75, Atlanta, Georgia. This work was undertaken at the request of Moultrie and Associates in order to comply with the requirements stated by the Office of the State Archaeologist, Georgia. An unusual set of circumstances imposed problems in terms of identifying and assessing the archaeological resources present. All of the structures on the study tract had been demolished within the last three years by the Atlanta Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in violation of the National Preservation Act and Advisory Council procedures. The demolition came about as part of a proposed urban renewal plan submitted to the State Clearinghouse for review in 1974. In the initial review, the Historic Preservation Section indicated that there were structures within the project boundaries having "historic and architectural significance to the City of Atlanta and perhaps to the entire State" including "a group of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Victorian and Neo-Classic style structures." They further stated that "the cultural and aesthetic quality of this neighborhood of small individualized structures and gardens is worthy of preservation in itself". The demolition of these structures eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places precludes project compliance with the Historic Preservation Section. However, Dr. Lewis Larson, State Archaeologist recommended that an archaeological survey be made to determine the existence and significance of potential cultural resources dating from an early period of the city's history. Further discussion of the problems caused by demolition and adverse impact created is presented in Chapters II and V. The scope of work required that a literature and records I search be conducted in addition to the archaeological survey. The historical research was conducted in the archives and library holdings of the Atlanta Historical Society, as well as through an interview with Mr. Franklin Garrett of the Society. Additional information pertaining to the history of the study area was obtained at the Department of Archives and History, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Fulton County Courthouse. Information pertaining to the prehistory of the area was obtained from the Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia. The results of this research are presented in Chapters II, III and IV. The archaeological survey was conducted over Land Lot 75, a 4 acre tract of land bounded by Little, Crew, Ormond, and Washington Streets. The survey consisted of a combination of visual inspection and systematic, deep, subsurface auger tests using a 4-inch diameter hand-turned bucket auger to investigate subsurface deposits. The auger testing used a grid sampling method with tests at 25 foot intervals over the entire area. Additional auger testing was made in selected locations based upon the archival data and the results of the grid testing. Details of the research techniques and the results of this survey are presented in Chapter V and the recommendations for cultural resource clearance based on this survey are included in Chapter VI.