An Archaeological and Historical Survey of the Proposed Toccoa Industrial Park Addition

In reference to the environmental impact study for the prosed addition to the Toccoa industrial park, a survey for archaeological and historic sites was undertaken by me for the Laboratory of Archaeology at Georgia State University.

The area of the proposed park addition is 70 acres, near the juncture of Meadowbrook Road and Liberty Hill Road. Heavy ground cover resulting from recent logging activities prevented an intensive survey of most of the area. Because of this dense ground cover and the presence of rattlesnakes, the logged area was only lightly surveyed. However, a detailed examination was made of a large erosional gully that cut through the logged area for several hundred yards, and no sign of human activity was found.

Three other locations in the project area were more intensely surveyed. The entire length of Eastanollee Creek, the courses of several logging roads, and two areas of high ground were investigated in detail. The hill tops were less densely covered than the lower, logged area, but ground cover still prevented a completely satisfactory examination of the ground surface.

The logging roads were the most suitable areas for survey and all the materials collected in the survey were either from the roads themselves or immediately adjacent to the roads.

The sites are labeled on the enclosed map as A, B, C, D and E. At point A, a deer vertebra was found which is of very recent origin. At Point B, designated site 9 St 13, there appears to have been a house site. The material collected consisted of glazed ceramics and one possible foundation stone, all of which would date from the early to middle 1900’s. Point C also appears to have been a house site, with collected materials consisting of glazed ceramics and glass. Points D and E are single finds believed to be associated with the house at Point C. Points C, D and E have been classified as site 9 St 14. Point C shows evidence of an earth construction to provide a level building surface. It also dates to the early to middle 1900’s.

In conclusion, no evidence of any prehistoric occupation was found in the project area, although the great abundance of quartz crystals could have made it an important source for raw materials. Also, no sites of known historical importance were found. I feel, however, that it would be advisable for a qualified archaeologist be present when the access road is initially graded, especially to obtain information from the low-lying areas which are covered by the recent logging activities.