Archaeological Investigations For Phase II of the Oconee Riverfront Park Along the Prosed Oconee River Greenway in Baldwin County, Georgia

TRC conducted archaeological investigations to assist the Oconee River Greenway Authority with permitting associated with the second phase of the proposed Oconee Riverfront Park and Greenway in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. Phase II of the park project [CSHPP-0007-00(629)] involves construction of additional passive-use amenities such as walking trails, overlooks, footbridges, parking areas, and driveways both within the tract south of the Hancock Street bridge where Phase I was constructed, and within approximately 30 acres of land on the north side of the bridge. Most of the tract south of the bridge was previously surveyed by TRC in 2005. The 30 acres north of the bridge were covered in the current survey. A small area was covered in the current survey, however, where the City of Milledgeville plans to extend Greene Street to the planned entrance of the park [CSHPP-0007-00 (531)]. Three previously recorded archaeological sites (9BL80, 9BL248, and 9BL249) are located within the project area for the park [CSHPP-0007-00(629)]; none will be affected by the extension of Greene Street [CSHPP-0007-00 (531)]. No new archaeological resources were discovered. Site 9BL248 is a twentieth-century dump site that has been previously determined ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 9BL80 is the site of a previously recorded hydroelectric plant constructed in 19141915 on the site of a nineteenth-century mill. Site 9BL80 previously has been recommended eligible for the NRHP. Additional research regarding this resource was conducted for the present study. TRC concurs with the previous recommendation, but based on the nature and placement of proposed park facilities in that current undertaking, there will be no adverse effect to 9BL80. The other site in the project area, 9BL249, consists of the remains of the McMillan Brick Company. Features associated with the site include a standard gauge, double track rail spur bed, remnants of a narrow gauge rail bed, remains of a narrow gauge rail bridge that traversed Fishing Creek, the remains of two circular kilns and the probable remains of one square updraft (scove) kiln, a draft chimney, intact subterranean draft tunnels (visible where they have been breached), piles of brick debris, and a background scatter of brick. The site was previously recommended eligible for the NRHP. The currently proposed park facilities that pass through the defined boundaries of 9BL249 do not affect any of the site's significant features. For this reason, TRC recommends that the site will not be adversely affected by Phase II of the project.