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Cherokee Lake Archaeological Assessment, Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia

Report Number
584
Year of Publication
1985
County
Abstract

This report details the methods applied and the findings resulting from an archaeological assessment of Cherokee Lake Park, Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia. The proposed park area includes 64.8 acres of wooded upland, pecan grove, old fields, and pond. Methodology applied to this assessment included terrestrial and underwater inspection in addition to archival research. Two sites were identified and recorded. The Cherokee Lake site is a lithic scatter of Archaic Period assignment. It is located in the extreme northern part of the park area in a wooded area. This investigator does not consider this site to be National Register eligible, but encourages and recommends its protection given the lack of any real survey of Thomasville and environs to date. The Cherokee Saw Mill Company was constructed around 1907 and included a large physical plant on the east side of the pond and a railroad spur. The railroad embankment and brick masonry footings remain in the park area today. Underwater inspection indicates that associated deposits remain on the pond floor. This site is considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Sites at the local level of significance given its involvement in the commercial enterprise of Thomasville and its association with notable local citizens.