Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Proposed Currahee Development Tract Stephens County, Georgia

A Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed Currahee development site in Stephens County, Georgia was conducted to locate and identify cultural resources within the project area and assess resource significance. The project area covers approximately 1,400 acres [566.7 hectares (ha)], 400 acres (161.9 ha) of which has previously been developed as house lots, golf cart paths, and a golf course, leaving roughly 1000 acres (404.8 ha) that required intensive survey. The project area is located northeast of Toccoa between Red Bluff Road, Oak Valley Road, and Lake Hartwell. Seven archeological sites and one historic structure (HS- 1) were recorded within the project area. Indeterminate prehistoric components were identified, as well as historic occupations ranging from the middle 19' to the 20th century. A second historic structure (HS-2) and a historic bridge (HS-3) were identified in the project's Area of Potential Effects (APE). Three of the seven archeological sites and the historic structure within the tract are recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Three archeological sites recorded may extend beyond the project area boundary. These sites are recommended ineligible within the project boundaries, but the NRHP status of the sites beyond the boundary is unknown. One archeological site, 9ST272, is considered potentially eligible for the NRHP. This site would be affected by the planned development. For this reason, Phase II testing is proposed for Site 9ST272 to clarify the NRHP eligibility of this site. The site will be preserved in place until Phase II testing has been completed and the testing results are approved by the USACE. Site 9ST267, is an abandoned cemetery. The cemetery is recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP, and it is also protected under the Abandoned Cemeteries and Buried Grounds Act (Section 36-72-1, Official Code of Georgia). The historic structure (HS-2) located in the project APE is recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. HS-2. Leaving a buffer of trees along the boundary of the project area is recommended to protect the viewshed of HS-2. The historic bridge (HS-3) has an unknown NRHP recommendation. The viewshed of this resource has been previously impacted by construction of a parking area for a lakeside park and no further work is recommended.