PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE CITY OF MONROE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WALTON COUNTY, GEORGIA

In January 2020, Edwards-Pitman, Inc. (EP) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for a proposed Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project along State Route (SR) 11, also known as North Broad Street, as well as along East Highland Avenue and North Lumpkin Street, in the City of Monroe, Walton County. EP’s archaeological survey was completed in accordance with GDOT’s Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM) (2013), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (1966, as amended through 2016) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800), and follows the standards set forth by the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations (Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists [GCPA] 2019).

The proposed GDOT project is located completely within the City of Monroe in Walton County, Georgia. The project will construct new or expand existing sidewalks and construct new bicycle facilities along both sides of SR 11/North Broad Street from Marable Street to East Highland Avenue, along East Highland Avenue from North Broad Street to North Lumpkin Street, and along North Lumpkin Street from East Highland Avenue to East Spring Street. The pavement will be re-striped to allow for shared bicycle lane markings. In addition, these improvements would install raised curbs, defined pedestrian crossings at intersections, shared bicycle lane markings, street trees and landscaping, pedestrian scale lighting, other street furnishings, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible curb ramps, and storm sewer upgrades. Improving pedestrian facilities along SR 11/North Broad Street, North Lumpkin Street, and East Highland Avenue would facilitate greater connectivity between neighborhood and commercial uses along SR 11/ North Broad Street, as well as the goods and services located in downtown Monroe. Connecting the project’s northern and southern termini would provide a stronger, more helpful, linkage to Monroe’s historic neighborhoods, and more balanced transportation alternatives for all users. The total project length is 0.53 kilometers (km) (0.33 miles [mi]).

The survey area for this Phase I archaeological investigation is an Environmental Survey Boundary (ESB) provided by engineers at Keck and Wood, Inc. The ESB measures approximately 17.8 acres (ac) (7.2 hectares [ha]) in size. It is 721 meters (m) (2,365 feet [ft]) in length and varies between 79 to 180 m (259 to 589 ft) in width. The ESB was designed to encompass all areas of possible ground disturbance for the proposed project. When design is complete, the area of potential effect (APE) for the proposed project will likely be smaller than the ESB that is shown. The purpose of this survey is to identify archaeological resources within the ESB and evaluate them for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Prior to field investigations, EP requested a review from staff at the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) to identify previously recorded sites and previously conducted surveys within the ESB, as well as within a 1-km (0.62-mi) radius of this survey area. EP also reviewed this information on Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS). According to GASF and GNAHRGIS, there are no previously recorded sites within the ESB, although there are two such sites within the research radius, including 9WN163, the Smith Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church Cemetery, and 9WN166, the former location of the early- to late-twentieth-century Walton Mill Workers’ Houses. In addition, two previously conducted surveys intersect the ESB, both of which were conducted by the GDOT and did not result in the identification of cultural resources.

EP also reviewed the National Park Service (NPS) NRHP database to determine if any NRHP listed properties are located within the ESB. As a result, EP identified two historic districts and two individually-listed properties within the ESB. These are the North Broad Street Historic District, located on the northern end of the ESB, the individually-listed Davis-Edwards House, located within the North Broad Street Historic District, the Monroe Commercial Historic District, located on the southern end of the ESB, and the individually-listed Walton County Courthouse, which is located within the Monroe Commercial Historic District.

As result of this survey, EP recorded one Isolated Find (IF) and one site, 9WN170. Both resources are located within the North Broad Street Historic District, and 9WN170 is also located on the Davis-Edwards House property. The IF is not eligible for the NRHP. EP recommends that the portion of 9WN170 within the ESB does not contain significant deposits. Therefore, the portion of the site within the ESB does not contribute to the eligibility of the Davis-Edwards House or the North Broad Street District under Criterion D. However, as 9WN170 could not be fully delineated, its overall eligiblity is unknown. The unsurveyed portion of 9WN170 should be considered an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and avoided by the proposed project. This ESA should be protected with orange barrier fencing along the not-yet-established APE for the length of the site.

If this ESA cannot be avoided by the proposed streetscape improvements, additional survey may be necessary.