Archaeological Evaluation of Dobbins Mine (9BR1035) and Guyton Ore Bank (9BR1034), U.S. 411 Relocation from SR 3/U.S. 41 to I-75

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes building the U.S. 411 Connector north of Cartersville in Bartow County (Project EDS00-0500[005]; PI 661950). The preferred alternative for this project would cross through Dobbins Mine (Site 9BR1035), a nineteenth- to twentieth century manganese and ocher mine associated with historic industries in the Cartersville area. As part of the project, New South Associates, Inc. performed a Phase II evaluation of this site. Additionally, New South evaluated Guyton Ore Bank (9BR1034), a nineteenth- to twentieth-century iron mine. Dobbins Mine and Guyton Ore Bank were identified and evaluated during a prior Phase I survey (Hobgood et al. 2005). Comments on the initial recommendations led to the development of a historic context for mining properties in north Georgia (Botwick et al. 2011). The context provided guidelines for recording and evaluating such sites and GDOT engaged New South to apply these to Dobbins Mine and Guyton Ore Bank and make definitive recommendations about the sites' National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. This Phase II study included the preparation historic contexts for mining in the Cartersville area and site histories, as well as archaeological fieldwork, mainly consisting of mapping and documentation of features and structures. Dobbins Mine was evaluated for the NRHP under Criteria A, C, and D due to its association to historic mining in the Cartersville area and because it illustrated aspects of regional manganese mining. The site was also evaluated as a possible historic landscape under Criterion C. Analysis indicated the site has overall poor integrity. Although Dobbins Mine includes open cuts, underground shafts, roads, and mine and mill waste dumps, these represent only the extraction aspect of mining and do not illustrate the entire mining system. Structures representing ore processing and transportation, as well as auxiliary activities, are no longer present. Moreover, extant features cannot be dated precisely and so do not clearly represent particular historic periods nor are they unique to manganese mining. The absence of many landscape elements, along with reforestation, planted pine stands, and encroachment by modern development and I-75 detract from the site's historic feel. Additionally, the site lacks significant archaeological deposits and further archaeological study would not contribute substantial information beyond that already collected by mapping the site and extant features. Owing to the poor integrity and limited archaeological potential, Dobbins Mine does not demonstrate historic significance and is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Guyton Ore Bank was evaluated for the NRHP under Criteria A, B, C, and D. The site reflected important regional mining industries and also had an association with nineteenth-century Georgia Governor and businessman Joseph E. Brown. Historic research indicated that connections with Brown were not very strong, making the site not eligible under Criterion B. Fieldwork indicated that the site included two or three open cuts, mine tailings, an access road, indeterminate earthwork features, and a section of the nineteenth-century Iron Belt Railroad. Identifiable features reflect the extraction of ore, but structures associated with processing and shipping ore are missing. The site's operation cannot be reconstructed and interpreted. In addition, the open cuts are not distinctive to iron mining in this area, and they cannot be dated precisely, making it difficult or impossible to relate them to a specific historic period. Reforestation, disturbance, and modern development detract from the site's ability to convey a sense of its historic associations. No features or deposits were identified at the Guyton Ore Bank whose archaeological study could contribute to the site's research potential, under Criterion D. Guyton Ore Bank thus does not clearly convey historic significance and is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. The section of the Iron Belt Railroad associated with the site, however, may be eligible for the NRHP. This property would not be impacted by the present undertaking and additional evaluation of it would be necessary should it be threatened in the future. In a Determination of Eligibility Notification issued on July 19, 2012, the Keeper of the National Register concurred with the recommendation that the Guyton Ore Bank was not eligible for nomination to the National Register but recommended Dobbins Mine eligible under Criterion A, for its association with manganese mining. The Keeper's Notification further stipulated that Dobbins was eligible as part of a mining landscape historic district "associated with historic mining along Dobbins Mountain." The Keeper indicated that the "Dobbins Mountain Mining Landscape" was not eligible under Criterion D, that there was insufficient information to make a determination of Dobbins Mountain Mining Landscape under Criterion B for its association with Arthur Granger, and did not express an opinion on the Dobbins Mountain Mining Landscape's eligibility under Criterion C.