Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Mitchell County Industrial Park, Mitchell County, Georgia

The Mitchell County Development Authority wishes to develop a 265-ac tract just north of Pelham in southern Mitchell County for use as an industrial park. Because federal funds will be used, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, is required. This act stipulates that projects using federal funds must take into account the effects of the project on significant cultural resources, those eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. To comply with this act, Mitchell County contracted with Southeastern Archeological Services to conduct an intensive, Phase I archeological survey of the tract and the widening of Fairway Road that leads to the tract. The area of potential effect for the project (the tract and the access road) was archeologically surveyed from July 24 to July 28, 2006. A prior review of Georgia Archaeological Site Files showed no sites had been recorded in or near the project area. Early to mid-twentieth century maps and aerial photographs showed five houses or farmsteads once existed within the tract and these were recorded as four archeological sites, along with three prehistoric lithic scatter sites. The sites were located and investigated with a combination of surface collection and shovel testing. No diagnostic artifacts or pottery were found at the prehistoric sites. The house/farm sites all date to the early to mid-twentieth century and have been razed and heavily disturbed. The prehistoric sites are sparse lithic scatters with little to no further research potential. We recommend that none of the seven sites in the area of potential effect are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Thus, we conclude that the proposed undertaking will have no adverse effects to significant archeological sites and should be granted clearance to proceed.