Archeological Survey and Testing of Tract 01-142 Andersonville National Historic Site, Georgia

This report details the findings of archeological survey and testing of Tract 01-142, a 20.33-acre tract of land adjacent to Andersonville National Historic Site which the National Park Service is considering for disposal as surplus property. The investigations, conducted in August 1983 by Southeast Archeological Center archeologists Teresa L. Paglione and Richard E. Johnson, determined the significance of the property in accordance with the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 regarding evaluation of Federal properties to assure that National Register eligible properties are ".not inadvertently transferred.(or) sold." (U.S. Government 1980). Although the investigations produced no Civil War artifacts, the tract does contain features which historically were associated with both the Confederate prison camp and the cemetery. These are: 1) the Old Dixie Highway, which was in use before the Civil War and remained the major road to Andersonville from the northeast until 1932 when the present highway was constructed, and is still in use today; 2) the 1870-1932 entrance road to the cemetery, which ran from the Old Dixie Highway to the main gateway in the historic brick wall surrounding the burial plot; and 3) the property itself, which although under Federal control since the Union cavalry arrived at Andersonville in 1865, is part of the 120-acre tract purchased in 1875 to complete the National Cemetery. Also on the tract is another historic resource, the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp from 1934 through 1936. Companies stationed at this camp were responsible for the construction of roads, bridges, and walks; landscaping; restoration of historic features; and other National Cemetery and Prison Park improvements. Adjoining the western boundary of the tract is the Central of Georgia Railroad which follows the same route as the Southwestern Railroad, the transportation system used in moving the majority of prisoners to and from Andersonville. Because Tract 01-142 contains cultural resources that are closely associated with the prison and the cemetery, it is relieved that the tract has potential value for retention.