An Archeological Survey of Proposed Improvements to Sixes Road, Cherokee County, Georgia

In early September, 2001, an archeological survey was conducted along Sixes Road in Cherokee County, Georgia (Figure 1). The survey was undertaken to ensure that Cherokee County is in compliance with the Georgia Environmental Policy Act. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate all archeological sites that may be affected by the road project. Archeological sites are defined as surface or subsurface historic or prehistoric remains related to human occupation or activity that occurred more than 50 years ago. The project area is located in the southern part of Cherokee County, southeast of Allatoona Lake. Sixes Road formerly connected the small communities of Cherokee and Lebanon, but mushrooming suburban development has all but obliterated the two settlements as distinct entities. The road is east of and roughly parallels Little River, which is a major tributary of the Etowah River. The terrain, typical of the upper Piedmont, is rolling, ranging in elevation from 265 - 330 m (870 - 1084 ft), and Sixes Road is crossed by two streams: Toonigh and Blankets Creek. The proposed project involves the widening and improvement of Sixes Road. The project begins at the interchange of Sixes Road and Interstate 575 and extends to Sixes Road's intersection with Bells Ferry Road. Total project length is approximately 5 km (3 mi). Sixes Road currently consists of two 12 ft lanes with a rural shoulder. The existing right-of-way varies from a minimum of 68 ft to a maximum of 196 ft. The project would improve Sixes Road to four 12 ft lanes with a 20 ft raised median. Curb cuts would be provided at various locations along the roadway to permit safe access to adjacent subdivision development. Propose right-of-way widths would vary from 117 to 196 ft. According to the construction plans, most of the road widening will take place within the existing right-of-way. The main disturbance will consist of cutting and filling within new construction easements. Sixes Road takes its name from a Cherokee leader, Sixes, whose town was located on the Etowah River northwest of the project area. According to Shadburn (1989:60), Sixes Old Town was first settled about 1799 (see Ledbetter et al. [1987] for a discussion of the historical and archeological evidence of the town). Other local landmarks that were named for Cherokees are Blankets Creek and Toonigh Creek, both of which are crossed by Sixes Road.