An Archaeological Survey of Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Sites at Kings Bay, Camden County, Georgia

This report describes a survey of late nineteenth and early twentieth century archaeological sites located within the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Georgia. The project was initiated at the request of the Georgia State Archaeologist to record data for all sites on the Base greater than fifty years old, rather than only for those greater than one hundred years old as recorded by Smith (1978) in the original Base archaeological survey. Research was designed to achieve two major objectives: one was a management objective, to identify and delineate all late historic sites located on the base, and to determine their potential eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The other was a theoretical objective, to investigate the lifestyles of Kings Bay residents during the late 19th/early 20th century. Much data has been published concerning early nineteenth century sites at Kings Bay (Adams 1987). By the late nineteenth century major advances in science and technology, as well as the devastation caused by the Civil War, brought significant changes to Southern living. We were therefore especially interested in changes in settlement patterns and material culture at Kings Bay between the early and late historic period. Our methods of research involved first documentary research, including reports and notes from previous archaeological investigations, publications of local and regional history, local government records, and local informants. Field investigations consisted of surface reconnaissance and subsurface testing 'at potential site areas suggested by the documentary research. The survey resulted in the documentation of eleven late historic sites. Sites were located either at the north end of the base (Cherry Point and vicinity) or at the south end (Point Peter and inland), primarily because potential sites in the central portions of the base were already destroyed by construction activities. Nine of the eleven sites were considered eligible or potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Management recommendations and suggestions for further research were made. Each of the eleven sites were characteristically small, rural and agricultural in nature. Nine were rural farmsteads, and two were associated with activities involving agriculture or animal husbandry. All revealed evidence of major cultural changes at Kings Bay occurring after the Civil War.