Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Toccoa Bypass Extension, Stephens County, Georgia

Between 23 June and 1 July, 1997, two archaeologists from New South Associates, Inc. conducted a 5.7 mile (9.17 km) long archaeological survey along a proposed bypass in Stephens County, northeastern Georgia. The survey was conducted to only identify and evaluate archaeological resources and not historic structures. From its beginning at SR 17 the proposed corridor proceeds in a northeastern direction on new location, crossing CR 3/Shady Lane and CR 538. Between approximately 462 feet (140 m) southwest of CR 56/Red Rock Road and CR 57/Oak Valley Road, the proposed alignment runs parallel to a Georgia Power transmission line. Between a tributary of Rock Creek and CR 57/Oak Valley Road, the proposed alignment turns north and splits into two proposed alternates; the Georgia Department of Transportation's alternate being west of the Stephens County's alternate. Although the alternates are divided by Ward Creek and its southern tributaries, both alternates end where the current US 123/SR 365 crosses Hartwell Lake. Ten sites and two isolated finds were identified during the survey. These include two Early Archaic sites, one Middle Archaic site, one Late Archaic site (which is outside the proposed right-of-way), -two Early Woodland sites, a Late Mississippian site, a late nineteenth century site, and two twentieth century sites. Of these sites, only the late nineteenth century homestead site of J. W. (Junius) Chastain Sr. (9ST214) is recommended as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Georgia Department of Transportation's alternate splits from the Stephens County's alternate at the Chastain homeplace. In order to avoid the Chastain homeplace, which has local National Register significance, it was decided to design a third alternative alignment west of the Georgia Department of Transportation's alternate. On 11 November, 1997, two archaeologists from New South Associates conducted a 1.5 mile (2.35 km) long archaeological survey along the proposed avoidance alternative. No sites were recorded during this survey.