In February and March of 2000, R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a literature review and an intensive archeological resources survey for the proposed Demorest Improvement Project at two road intersections in Habersham County, Georgia. The improvements to the two intersections are required to accommodate additional school bus traffic from the new high school in the area. The study was conducted on behalf of the Habersham County School Board as part of compliance with the Georgia Environmental Policy Act. The goal of the survey was to locate and identify archeological resources within the Area of Potential Effects (APE), assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria [36 CFR Part 60.4(d)], and to provide an evaluation of the effects that the project may have on archeological resources within impact areas. The project area is located at two separate intersections. The first intersection is US 441 at Demorest-Mt. Airy Road, located approximately 0.6 km inside the Demorest city limits heading south along US 441. This intersection will be improved through the addition of two right turn lanes. The second intersection is SR 365 at Demorest-Mt. Airy Road, located approximately 0.8 km outside of the Demorest city limits heading southeast along Demorest-Mt. Airy Road. Lengthening of a right turn lane and the addition of combination turn on a merging lane are planned for this intersection. All construction will be contained within the existing right-of-way for the roads to be improved. Literature A review of the State Archeological Site Files and the NRHP files indicates that there are no previously recorded archeological sites or NRHP properties within the APE of the Demorest-Mt. Airy Road/SR 365 intersection and the Demorest-Mt. Airy Road/US 441 intersection. There is one historic structure, HM-DE110, immediately adjacent to Intersection 1. No archeological sites were found at either intersection. This was probably due to the severe disturbance caused by past road construction. Evidence of grading and filling were observed on the surface and through shovel testing. Based on our survey findings, no archeological sites will be impacted by the improvements at the intersections of Demorest-Mt. Airy Road/US 441 and Demorest-Mt. Airy Road/SR 365. Therefore, clearance is recommended for both the intersections.
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