Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluative Testing at Site 9Gw347 Proposed Annistown Road Improvements Project Gwinnett County Georgia

R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a literature search and an intensive survey for the proposed Annistown Road Improvements project (approximately 3.0 miles long, 150 to 200 feet in width, including the existing Annistown Road right-of-way) in Gwinnett County, Georgia between February 19 and 21, 1996. The project was conducted on behalf of HNTB Architects, Engineers, Planners and the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation. Under the existing regulatory requirements, the project was undertaken to comply with 33 CFR 320-330 concerning Army Corps of Engineers permitting procedures which in turn invokes compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and 36 CFR 800. In accordance with the regulatory requirements, the assessment was conducted to determine if significant cultural resources would be affected by the proposed project. The significance of a cultural resource was assessed using the eligibility criteria (36 CFR Part 60.4) set for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition, the cultural resources assessment must adhere to guidelines set by the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) (Georgia SHPO 1993). A historic structures survey of the project area is covered under a separate report entitled Historic Resources Survey Report and Requests for Determination of Eligibility, Project 7007 Widening of Annistown Road by the Jaeger Company (1994). Review of pertinent National Register files, historic structures files and archeological site files revealed that no previously identified National Register or National Register eligible properties are located within the project area. One known archeological site was reported to be within the proposed corridor. Based on the site file search, Site 9GW7, was identified as a Woodland village located below the modern Annistown Bridge. Locational information for this site is unclear. The site was not relocated during the survey and may be outside the project right-of-way. Archival search indicated the presence of at least 16 potential historic structures/structural complexes within or immediately adjacent to the proposed corridor. Fifteen cultural resources were detected during the field survey and include four late l9th/early 20th century house sites (Sites 9GW345, 9GW346, 9GW348 and 9GW349), one 20th century house site (Site 9GW351), one late l9th/early 20th century farm complex (Site 9GW350), one l9th/early 20th century mill/prehistoric rockshelter site (Site 9GW347), five isolated finds (IF-1 through IF-5) and three isolated rock piles (IRP-1 through IRP-3). Table I lists the cultural resources detected during the survey. Survey findings indicate that thirteen of the archeological resources have been severely disturbed by road construction, residential/commercial development and erosion or were found in redeposited contexts. Due to the lack of cultural integrity, these resources are recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. In addition to having no evidence of intact historic features, archival research and survey data demonstrated that Site 9GW351, the 20th century house site, was too recent to be considered a historic resource and therefore, is recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9GW347, the mill/rockshelter site, was recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP based on observation of above-ground features and shovel testing results during the survey. This site was tested in May 1996 to develop a clear NRHP recommendation. The results indicated the presence of intact 19th/early 20th century mill features with an associated midden and an undisturbed Early Mississippian period stratum in the vicinity of the rockshelter. Archival research revealed that the mill was owned and operated by one of the earliest settlers in Gwinnett County and had figured prominently in the economic and social life of the surrounding community. Based on these findings, Site 9GW347 is recommended as eligible for the NRHP at the local level under Criterion D of 36 CFR Part 60.4. Since the site will be impacted by the road corridor improvements, preparation and implementation of a data recovery plan is recommended.