Documentation of a Segment of Johnston's River Line Oakdale Road and Fort Drive Cobb County, Georgia

On March 8, 2005, R. S. Webb & Associates (RSWA) conducted an archeological reconnaissance of the 25.41-acre development tract located east of the intersection of Oakdale Road and Fort Drive in Cobb County, Georgia to determine if Civil War features are located within the project area, and to assess the significance of each resource. Based on survey data, one site, 9CO686, was identified. This site contains four intact Civil War earthworks which were part of Johnston's River Line. Two of the features, Features S-1 and S-2, are well-preserved stockades. Feature A-1 is a two-gun artillery redan. The remains of the log stockade which connected these features is still visible between Features S-1 and A-1, and for a short distance west of Feature S-1. This site is the best preserved surviving segment of Johnston's Line, and is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A (important events), Criterion C (design/construction), and Criterion D (information potential). After reviewing the archeological survey results, the Cobb County Community Development Agency (Cobb County) requested 1) that these features should be preserved in-place; and 2) that additional research be conducted to: a) photographically document the features; b) create a detailed topographic plan map of the site; c) compile a historical narrative of the Civil War activity associated with these features; and d) conduct a metal detector survey near the features. During the period January 3 through January 10, 2006, RSWA conducted the additional field investigations in the proposed development tract. RSWA monitored the clearing of vegetation in and near the features, worked with the land surveyor to gather transit-data for the site plan topographic map, photographed the features, and conducted a metal detector survey near the Civil War features.