Cultural Resource Survey: Lower Falling Creek Road 1023-A Oconee Ranger District

The present report summarizes a cultural resource survey on proposed U.S. Forest Service Road No. 1023A, scheduled for construction during FY 1977. The proposed road will support such logging equipment as tractor-trailer rigs, skidders, etc. The road will be fully surfaced to stabilize weak soils and to minimize restrictions on logging. The road will remain closed the entire year except for fire control and a-three month hunter use period. The road is located in Compartment 118 and is accessible via Route 11 approximately 6 miles southeast of Monticello; turn right at Adgateville Church onto a dirt road and continue bearing left until the road intersects with Forest Service Road No. 1023; turn left. From this point, the proposed route extends southwesterly approximately 2.9 miles.. Prior to survey, a search of property deeds,. existing archeological site files, and the National Register-of-Historic Places was made. The Deed Search revealed that the project area was purchased from G.D. Tinsley.and Coreen Ridley in 1937. At the time of - purchase by the Federal Government there were timber rights for all trees with a diameter of greater than 10 inches. A late 1930 Appraisal Report indicates that the property was in cultivation at the time of purchase. In addition there were three standing 100 year old frame dwellings measuring 16 x 32 feet, 10 x 32 feet, 18 x 14 feet, respectively; two twenty year old frame structures 18 x 14 feet and 20 x 32 feet; one 25 year old 24 x 14 foot log barn; and one spring. A search of the archeological site files and the National Register failed to .yield any sites on or adjacent to the project area. Field survey was carried on by the author on December 13, 1977. Survey procedure consisted of a pedestrian inspection of the proposed route. Along those sections of the proposed route which followed existing dirt routes, ground visibility was 90 percent; therefore, the reconnaissance in these areas consisted of a visual search of the roadbed. In those areas where the proposed route deviated from existing dirt roads, one meter square test units were cleared of ground cover by fire rake at 15 meter intervals along the proposed centerline. The exposed areas were then tested to a depth of 10-15 centimeters. No cultural resources were encountered in the project area. Although the survey failed to confirm the structures noted in the historical documents, it must be recalled that the project area represents a limited portion of the tract which once belonged to Tinsley and Ripley. Rocks and boulders were noted at stake 49+00. These rocks measured 6 to 8 feet in length and weighed several tons. Their location on top of a ridge was the result of natural geological factors. No cultural resources were observed within the project corridor. The project complies with the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and subsequent rules and regulations.