Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of the Athens Park Corridor, Clarke County, Georgia

A cultural resources survey was conducted for Pickering Company, Inc., prior to development of a bike path in Clarke County, Georgia. The 1,451 m (4,760 feet) long and 21 m (70 feet) wide survey corridor begins on the east side of the North Oconee River at the Broad Street bridge and continues south to end 381 m (1,250 feet) south of the Oconee Cemetery bridge; on the west side of the North Oconee River, a 533 m (1,750 feet) section adjacent to the Oconee Cemetery bridge was also examined. Much of the project corridor has been severely impacted by construction and maintenance of a sewage line right-of-way. The survey was performed in November 1995 by Garrow & Associates, Inc. A combined pedestrian survey and subsurface testing program was pursued in the project corridor. Background research prior to the fieldwork determined that no previously recorded archaeological sites are located in the project corridor; four previously recorded sites are located within one mile of the project corridor. No previously identified National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties are located in the project corridor; however, numerous NRHP sites and districts are located within one mile of the project corridor, especially on the west side of the Oconee River. The literature search indicates no historically significant individuals or events were associated with the project corridor. This survey identified one archaeological site, 9CA116, immediately west of the project corridor, adjacent to the North Oconee River. Site 9CA116 is represented exclusively by structural remains and is part of the Athens Factory, an NRHP-listed property. It is recommended that the boundaries of the Athens Factory NRHP-listed property be expanded to include this portion of the site. If the structural remains at 9CA116 can be preserved through avoidance, cultural resources clearance to construct is recommended. No other standing structures or structural remains occur in the project corridor.