Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Preferred Build Alternative Site for the Proposed Griffin-Spalding County Airport, Spalding County, Georgia

From February 15 through March 12, 2010, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the preferred build alternative site (Alternative 3) for the proposed Griffin-Spalding County Airport in Spalding County, Georgia. Figure 1.1 is a map showing the location of the study area. This survey was conducted pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and in order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). It should also be noted that three other build alternatives were considered for general aviation improvements, Alternatives 2a, 2b, and 4. Alternative 2a and 2b involved improvement to the existing airport and Alternative 4 is a new location site in northeast Spalding County. Figure 1.2 is a map showing the locations of the considered build alternatives. However, due to the presence of fairly dense residential development within the proposed study area for Alternatives 2a and 2b, and the potential for historic resources to be present in these areas, neither Alternatives 2a or 2b were chosen as the preferred alternative. In addition, due to the presence of previously recorded archaeological sites within the proposed project tract, and other environmental concerns in the area of Alternative 4, it also was not chosen as the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative (Alternative 3) study area consists primarily of wooded and undeveloped agricultural tracts. Along the primary roads bounding the study area is scattered residential development. In addition, a late twentieth-century residential development is located within the study area along Banks Road. The study area is located approximately one mile ( 1.6 km) northeast of the City of Griffin and 0.25 mile (0.4 km) north of East Griffin. The study area is generally bounded by High Falls Road to the southwest, agricultural and wooded tracts to the north, SR 155/Jackson Road to the northwest, and Sapelo Road to the southeast. This survey was conducted to determine if cultural resources are located within the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The APE consists of the proposed project tract and the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ), which combined consist of approximately 400 acres (162 hectares [ha]). The APE also includes the project noise contour and the project viewshed, which in some areas extends up to 0.5 mile (0.8 km) from the project tract. The survey was conducted at this preferred site in preparation for the proposed construction of a new general aviation airport. The cultural resources survey consisted of both background research and fieldwork. Background research focused on documenting previously recorded archaeological and architectural resources within the APE. Research was conducted at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta, the Georgia Archaeological Site File in Athens, the University of Georgia Map Library, the Georgia Archives, the Spalding County Tax Assessors Office, the Spalding County Courthouse Deed Room, and the Flint River Regional Library in Griffin. Background research revealed that there are no previously recorded archaeological sites or cemeteries within the project APE. In addition, there are no previously recorded NRHP eligible, nominated, or listed buildings, structures, or objects within the project tract boundary. However, there are three previously recorded historic resources within the APE. These are Resource 1, the Thomas-Melin House and Farm; Resource 2, the Thomas-Bennett House; and Resource 3 (a circa -19 50 storage building). Figure 1.3 shows the locations of these resources in relation to the APE. Table 1.1 provides a list of cultural resources identified in the APE and provides descriptions and NRHP recommendations. Resource 1, the Thomas-Melin House and Farm, was previously determined eligible for the NRHP. We recommend that the proposed NRHP boundary be expanded to include additional historic buildings on the property, as well as all of the associated pecan orchard. While a small portion of the Thomas Melin property extends into the project tract and noise contour, there are no extant buildings, archeological sites, or other contributing elements, in this area of the property. Resource 2, the Thomas-Bennett House, is located in the study area viewshed and partially within the RPZ and noise contour. Although Resource 2, the Thomas Bennett House, was previously determined ineligible for the NRHP under Criterion C, and at present, the house is partially collapsed, there is the potential for an antebellum archaeological component to be present on the property. As a result, we recommend this resource and the immediate surrounding property potentially eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D for its archaeological research potential. Resource 3 is located within the project viewshed and noise contour. It was originally a circa 1930 extended Hall- Parlor house and storage building and was previously determined ineligible for the NRHP. At present, only the storage building is extant. During the cultural resources field survey for the current undertaking we identified seven previously unrecorded architectural resources within the APE; Resources 4 through 10 (see Figure 1.3 and Table 1.1). Resources 4 through 9 are recommended ineligible for the NRHP. However, Resource 10, a section of a historic rail bed remnant (the Griffin, Monticello, and Madison Railroad), is recommended eligible for the NRHP. This resource is located northeast of SR 155/Jackson Road, immediately northeast of the project RPZ. In addition, while Resource 4, a 1955 Ranch House, is recommended ineligible for the NRHP, a circa -1915 barn on the property (Resource 4.1 ), which predates the house, is recommended eligible for the NRHP as an individual resource. However, the barn is outside the project RPZ and noise contour and is marginally in the project viewshed. During the archaeological field survey, which included intensive survey of the project tract and the project RPZ, we identified two archaeological resources; Sites 9SP190 and 9SP191 (see Figure 1.3 and Table 1.1). Site 9SP190, located within the project tract, appears to be two nineteenth to early twentieth-century irrigation trenches. This site is recommended ineligible for the NRHP Site 9SP191, located in the project RPZ, is a nineteenth-century to early-twentieth-century house site. This site is located on the same tract of land as Resource 2, the Thomas-Bennett House (the Hopkins Tract) and is likely associated with Resource 2, which is located approximately 295 feet (90 meters) northeast of the site. As a result, this site is recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. Phase II archaeological testing and additional research is recommended to determine if there is an antebellum component to the site and what its association is to Resource 2, the Thomas-Bennett House.