A Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of Peaks of Dahlonega Tract Lumpkin County, Georgia

In January 2022, Terracon conducted a cultural resource assessment survey (CRAS) of the Peaks of Dahlonega Tract in Lumpkin County, Georgia (Figure 1.1). According to the Lumpkin County Tax Assessor (LCTA), the project is associated with parcel ID 1078 166 located on the west side of Morrison Moore Parkway. The investigation was undertaken on behalf of the Landbridge Development, LLC. in anticipation of complying with state and federal regulations.

The Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) reviewed a reconnaissance report completed by Southern Research, entitled Cultural Resources Records Review and Reconnaissance for the Morrison Moore Parkway DCA Site, Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia, dated June 1, 2020.The HPD reviewed the report as advisory to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and its applicates in completion of the Environmental Effects Report (EER) and under the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA). The proposed project is for the construction of three, three-story multi-family apartment buildings and associated infrastructure. The project was previously reviewed by the HPD under project, GP-201005-001, but was recently reviewed as GP-211109-023. The more recent review resulted in a recommendation for a Phase I Cultural Resources Assessment Survey (CRAS) to be conducted within the property, as well as a review of 129 Pink Dogwood Lane and 2359 Morrison Moore Parkway as noted in the reconnaissance survey. The goals of the survey were to locate, delineate, identify and evaluate cultural resources within the proposed project area, and to assess their significance and potential eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The term "cultural resources" as used herein is meant to refer to sites or objects that are archaeological, architectural, and/or historical in nature. All work will comply with the cultural resource provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-190, as amended) and its implementing regulation 36 CFR Part 800 (Protection of Historic Properties). The Principal Investigator meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation (36 CFR Part 61).

The proposed Area of Potential Effects (APE) for this project includes the property boundaries as direct effect area and the neighboring parcels for indirect effects. It was assumed that the indirect effects of 1,000-feet around the project boundaries was adequate for potential future projects.

Prior to fieldwork, a search of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) identified one previously recorded archaeological site in the project area, 9LU52 and the subsequent survey for this resource. Architectural survey methods consisted of a review of the previous reconnaissance survey, the LCTA website, a review of the GASF and GNAHRGIS, for any previously recorded resources, and a pedestrian investigation to field verify all architectural resources within the project area. The fieldwork was conducted by archaeologist Joshua Newman under the direction of Brent Handley, who served as Principal Investigator.