A Cultural Resources Survey of the 2.75 Acre Summerwood Subdivision, Athens, Georgia

A cultural resources survey was undertaken at the proposed Summerwood Subdivision in Athens, Georgia by Southeastern Archeological Services. The subdivision will occupy the steeply sloping north side of a prominent hill, and is located within sight of the North Oconee River, east of downtown Athens (Figure 1). Totalling about 2.75 acres, developers intend to construct five or six duplexes on the property. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is partially funding the project. Therefore, the cultural resources survey was required to ensure that HUD is in compliance with federal guidelines (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966--as amended) concerning the identification and protection of significant cultural resources. No prehistoric archeological sites are present in the project area, but a Civil War artillery emplacement (Figures 2 and 3) is within 70 ft of the southern boundary of the subdivision. The artillery emplacement dates to 1863 and was constructed to protect the nearby Cook and Brother Armory from attack by Federal forces. The fortifications are recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Duplex construction will not damage or destroy the earthworks, but construction will have an adverse effect on the setting. Construction should be allowed to proceed, but the developers should consider ways to reduce the visual impact to the artillery emplacement, such as a landscaping plan that would include shrubbery and trees to screen the development from the historic site.