The Cultural Resources Survey of the Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB) was initiated to identify all cultural resources located within the boundaries of Dobbins ARB that are potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and then make a determination, with concurrence of the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as to whether these properties are, in fact, eligible. The total area of the survey was approximately 1600 acres. Archival research was conducted to determine the possible location of historic and archaeological sites and to give the survey team a better understanding of the history of the area. Seven structures and two potential archaeological sites were inventoried during the field survey. Georgia Historic Resources inventory forms, which provide documentation of the features of properties selected for the field survey; photographs of the properties; and this report should be submitted to the SHPO by the 94th Civil Engineer for review and comment.
Of the seven buildings surveyed, only Building 510 is eligible for, and is currently being nominated to, the National Register of Historic Places. Three of the seven buildings, including Building 510, pre-date Dobbins ARB; the other four were built during the initial development of Dobbins ARB by the Bell Bomber Plant during World War II. These four buildings incorporate typical military construction designs and techniques. The three older buildings vary in age, location, design, and construction techniques.
Archival research and surface inspection for archaeological resources determined that two areas were potentially significant. One resource was an early twentieth-century homesite; the other, a trench believed to be from the Civil War. These resources were tested, researched further and determined not to be eligible for the National Register. The research and subsurface tests determined the homesite to be of no significance and the trench to be of twentieth-century farmland origin.
Research was also conducted to identify resources from the Cold War era at Dobbins ARB. No resources identified from this era met the criteria of exceptional significance for listing on the National Register.
Help us to continue to make advances in research, stewardship, and bringing the past to life. No matter the size of the gift, your contribution will directly support groundbreaking archaeological research through sustaining student and outreach programs, and technological innovations. To make a secure gift online to the Archaeology Lab Fund, CLICK HERE.