Phase I Archaeological Survey Fairhope Tract, McIntosh, Georgia

The two identified sites, WGC1678 and WGC1679, are probably eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, however Phase II testing should be carried out on each of the sites before a definite decision about eligibility can be reached. If the historic site (WGC1679) is indeed the Fairhope Plantation site, it is almost certainly eligible at the level of statewide significance. Until a determination of eligibility for the two identified sites can be made, they should be protected and no actions should be taken which might have an adverse effect on them. A portion of the roadbed of the early twentieth century railroad, the Georgia and Piedmont Railroad, crosses the marsh along the southern boundary of the Fairhope Tract. This roadbed may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places at the state level of significance. The route of the line across the tract should be carefully mapped if there are any actions taken that might have an adverse effect on the physical evidence of the railroad presence on the tract. It should be emphasized that by its nature this survey did not attempt to locate all of the archaeological resources on the Fairhope Tract. Given the time available for the survey and the size of the area to be surveyed, a comprehensive survey was not possible. The primary purpose of the survey was to establish whether or not cultural resources were present on the tract. There is a high probability that other sites, in addition to those identified by this survey, also exist on the Fairhope Tract.