Phase I Achaeological Survey Ponce de Leon Avenue/Scott Boulevard Improvements Corridor and Phase I and Phase II Testing Deepdene Park Pedestrian Trail Corridor

In July and August of 2007, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the SR 8, Ponce de Leon Avenue/Scott Boulevard sidewalks and Deepdene trail improvement corridor in DeKalb County, Georgia, GDOT Project STPOO-000200 (404). This survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). The proposed project includes construction of new sidewalks where none exist along SR 8, Ponce de Leon Avenue and Scott Boulevard. Initially, the proposed project limits for this sidewalk improvements project extended along SR 8 from Moreland Avenue to east of Eastland Drive (approximately North Decatur Road), along both sides of SR 8, and included the construction of new sidewalks where none currently exist and the reconstruction of existing sidewalks determined to be in poor condition. However, due to insufficient funding for the construction of sidewalks along the approximately 3.15 miles between Moreland Avenue and approximately North Decatur Road, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reduced the project limits to 0.9 miles. This would include the approximately 0.64-mile portion of the corridor between the eastern terminus of South Ponce de Leon Avenue at Dellwood Park (where sidewalks currently terminate on the north side of SR 8) and North Ponce de Leon Avenue at the east end of Deepdene Park. This would include a 38 meter (124 ft) by 3.6 meter (12 ft) corridor in a grass traffic island at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and East Lake Drive. The project would also include a 1,350 foot (0.26 mile) corridor on the east side of Scott Boulevard from Garden Lane to Westchester Drive (Figure 1). In the area outside and west of Deepdene Park the project corridor, extending from the curb of Ponce de Leon Avenue, is approximately 3.6 meters (12 ft) wide. The proposed sidewalk would be 1.5 meter (5 ft) wide, and would include a 0.6-meter (2-ft) grass or stamped concrete strip and curb and gutter. On the north side of Ponce de Leon Avenue, in Deepdene Park, the project corridor is located along the periphery of the Park (bounded to the east and west by North Ponce de Leon Avenue) and is 0.5 miles long. In this area, the proposed typical section would consist of a 2.4 meter (8-ft)-wide asphalt trail. In the area of its junction with North Ponce de Leon Avenue, at the west end of the park, the trail would be set back approximately 6.1 meters (20 ft) to 9.1 meters (30 ft) from the existing curb of SR 8, Ponce de Leon Avenue. However, the majority of the trail would be located 16 meters (55 ft) to 18 meters (60 ft) from the curb. At the east end of the park the trail would be located approximately 24 meters (80 ft) from the curb and would tie into a proposed circular walk which is part of the Deepdene Park TEE project. The improvement corridor in the park is 18 meters (60 ft) to 27 meters (90 ft) wide. However, except for the far eastern end of the park near the park athletic field, the area beyond 18 meters (60 ft) from the curb of Ponce de Leon Avenue extends down a steep slope to a drainage. Drainage improvements would also be provided as needed in the park. This proposed project ties into and is consistent with the Deepdene Park Phase IV Improvements project (Project TEE-000800(115), DeKalb County, P.I. No. 0008115). On the east side of Scott Boulevard between Garden Lane and Westchester Drive the project corridor would be approximately 3.6 meters (12 ft) wide. The proposed sidewalk would be 1.5 meter (5 ft) wide and would include a 0.6 meter (2-ft) grass or stamped concrete strip and curb and gutter. The archaeological survey consisted of archival research and intensive field survey. The archival research was conducted at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division (HPD), the Georgia Archaeological Site File, the DeKalb County Public Library in Decatur, and the Georgia Power Archives in Atlanta. At the HPD, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) files and the DeKalb County survey files were reviewed to determine if any National Register eligible, nominated, or listed resources are within the project APE. At the. DeKalb County Public Library, county histories and cemetery records were consulted. The Georgia Archaeological Site file information was accessed through the Georgia Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS database (NAHRGIS) to determine if any previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the project APE. At the Georgia Power Archives, records related to the Georgia Railway and Power Company's Ponce de LeonDruid Hills trolley line were reviewed. As a result of our background research, one previously identified resource was located in the project corridor, the Georgia Railway and Power Company trolley track remnants (Ponce de Leon-Druid Hills Line) in Deepdene Park. The park and trolley tracks are contributing elements to the Druid Hills Parks and Parkways NRHP District as well as the Druid Hills NRHP District. A section of trolley tracks visible at ground surface had already been identified in the park as a result of Project TEE-0008-00 (115). The TEE project is associated with other improvements being conducted in the park outside the Ponce de Leon Avenue sidewalks and Deepdene trail improvements corridors. Due to a past determination made by the Georgia SHPO for project TEE-0008-00 (115), the Georgia Railway and Power Company trolley track corridor remnant is considered a contributing element to the Druid Hills Parks and Parkways NRHP District (listed 1975) as well as the Druid Hills NRHP District (Listed 1979). This resource has been determined eligible for the NRHP. Although is was not specifically stated in the Categorical Exclusion document or in the project Determination of Eligibility letter from the Georgia SHPO for Project TEE-0008-00(115), the resource appears to be eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A in the areas of transportation and community planning and development on a local of significance. Figure 2 is a map showing the locations of Deepdene Park and the Georgia Railway and Power Company trolley track remnants. Intensive shovel testing was conducted in the project corridor to determine if archaeological resources are present. No previously unrecorded archaeological resources were located in the project corridors as a result of our survey (Figures 2 and 3). It should be noted that although the trolley track remnants had been previously identified, they had not been officially recoded as an archaeological site. Therefore an official site number was obtained as part of our investigation. Additional (Phase II) testing, including metal detecting, and the excavation of six trenches, was conducted in Deepdene Park. The investigations in the park were conducted to determine if buried historic trolley tracks were present. Phase II testing in Deepdene Park found that 11.8 meters (39 ft) of trolley tracks are located in the Park. Three meters (11 ft) of this track is the previously identified section which is visible at ground surface. Additionally, seventy meters (229 ft) of the gravel rail bed, including crosstie remnants and or rail spikes, are located in the park.