Historic Resource Reconnaissance of Section 205 Projects, Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia

In March 1997, Brockington and Associates conducted a historic resources reconnaissance at Albany, Georgia. This investigation was prompted by recent floods which motivated the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Albany to do a Section 205 project (Flood ControlAct of 1948). Section 205 provides small allotments for flood control projects not specifically authorized by Congress. This study follows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations (USAGE 1990a) developed to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470; as amended). The goal of this historic resources reconnaissance was to obtain information on previously known as well as potential historic resources within the project areas. This information will provide a necessary step in the planning for new flood control construction in Albany. Background research was conducted by the project historian at the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files in Athens, the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Archives and History (GDAH) in Atlanta, and the Dougherty County Public Library in Albany. The project historian visited the Thronateeska History Center in Albany, and consulted with Dr. Lee Formwalt at Albany State University. The project historian also consulted with Mr. Eugene C. Black, a local avocational archaeologist, about his knowledge of archaeological sites in the area. Our research at the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files at the University of Georgia in Athens identified six previously recorded archaeological sites within the project areas (9DU3, 9DU10, 9DU22, 9DU29, 9DU30, 9DU31, and 9DU39). Site 9DU29 has been recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and site 9DU31 was recommended ineligible for the NRHP; no NRHP recommendations were made for the remaining sites. It should also be noted that a previous archaeological reconnaissance by Southeastern Archaeological Services identified a number of unrecorded archaeological sites along the Flint River, including sites in the northern half of Areas B and C. This information was corroborated through personal communication with Mr. Eugene Black, a local amateur archaeologist. The project historian conducted a review of the NRHP listings at the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta. This research identified one NRHP-listed property within Area B (the Albany Housefurnishing Company building), and nine within one-half mile of Area B. These historic properties include the Mount Zion Baptist Church, the Samuel Farkas House, the Davis Exchange Building, the United States Post Office and Courthouse, the Carnegie Library of Albany, the Bridge House (Tilt Hall), the Rosenberg Brothers Department Store, the New Albany Hotel, and the Municipal Auditorium. Each property is individually listed on the NRHP, and all but one (Mt. Zion Baptist Church) are associated with Albany's downtown business district. Also, one NRHP-listed property (Ninth Avenue Lustron House) is located adjacent to Area A. Our review of the NRHP-identified sites (sites identified as historic but not listed on the NRHP) at the HPD identified an historic African American neighborhood partially within Area B. The South Central Albany, or "Southside," neighborhood is a 24 block area bounded by Oglethorpe Boulevard on the north, the Flint River on the east, Cotton Avenue on the south, and Monroe Street on the west. The neighborhood contains one NRHP-listed property, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, which is outside the project area. In addition, documents on file at the HPD indicate that several other properties in the neighborhood were determined eligible for the NRHP in 1981. The project historian also examined reports on cultural resource investigations sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on file at the HPD in Atlanta. FEMA work related to damage inflicted by the 1994 flood was conducted within Areas B and C. Two FEMA reports, one documenting historic buildings on the campus of Albany State University in Area C, and the other documenting Oakview and Riverside Cemeteries in Area B, are of particular interest to the current project. An historic district composed of five buildings (Daisy Brown ROTC Building, Davis Hall, Orene Hall/School of Nursing, the President's Home, and Caroline Hall) at Albany State University was recommended eligible for the NRHP by HPD staff in 1994. Further investigations of the historic buildings were undertaken by Woodward-Clyde Federal Services in 1995. They recommended that Caroline Hall and Davis Hall were eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A (history); Caroline Hall has since been demolished. The historic Oakview and Riverside Cemeteries were investigated by Woodward-Clyde Federal Services in 1995; Oakview Cemetery was recommended eligible for the NRHP. The project historian also interviewed individuals knowledgeable about the history of the Albany area. Interviews were conducted with Dr. Lee Formwalt and Mr. Eugene Black. Dr. Formwalt is a professor of history at Albany State University and the editor of The Journal of Southwest Georgia History. He pointed out some of the buildings associated with Albany's Civil Rights movement. He also identified an historic African American cemetery (the Pones' Aiding Society Cemetery) on the Albany State University campus. Mr. Eugene Black, an amateur archaeologist, is knowledgeable with the archaeology of the area. He examined a map illustrating locations of previously recorded archaeological sites, and suggested that both sides of the Flint River in Areas B and C are rich in unrecorded archaeological sites. Utilizing background research, historic resources review, and personal interviews, this investigation identified previously recorded archaeological sites, NRHP-listed historic properties, and significant unlisted historic resources within the project areas (Table 1). Identification of these historic resources and evaluation of the potential for additional significant historic resources in the project areas will help with planning for levee maintenance and/or construction. In summary, we recommend a historic resources study be conducted in the event any secondary staging areas are required in Area A. The flap gate construction area and flood wall has little to no potential for intact historic resources. Therefore, no additional historic resources work is recommended there. We recommend a Phase I historic resources survey be conducted prior to development in Areas B and C for which ground disturbance or structure relocation will occur. The Phase I study will be needed to locate and evaluate cultural properties, and to determine the effects construction will have on any significant historic resources identified.