A Preliminary Archeological Survey of the Discovery Tract, Cobb County, Georgia

This report summarizes the results of a reconnaissance level archeological survey of the Discovery tract, a 720 acre parcel owned by Bessemer Properties, the Atlanta based division of Bessemer Securities Corporation. The project area is located in extreme south Cobb County, adjacent to the Chattahoochee River and includes the lower portion of Nickajack Creek. See Figure 1 for the location.

The tract is bounded by the Chattahoochee River on the southeast, by Bankhead Highway (U.S. 78/278) on the northeast, and by Gordon Road on the southwest. During the mid-nineteenth century, ferries, instead of bridges, crossed the river. Bankhead Highway was known as Turner's Ferry Road, Gordon Road crossed at Howell's Ferry, and a third ferry, Nelson's, crossed in between the two.

The Civil War brought fighting to the area in July, 1864, and the tract contains well preserved Confederate and Federal earthworks, rifle-pits, and artillery emplacements. In 1973 portions of the earthworks were nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Because the trenches are recognized as a significant archeological and historical resource, the survey was required by the Cobb County Historical Commission prior to approving Bessemer Properties' request for rezoning and development.

During this survey a team of two archeologists examined the earthworks that have been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, unrecorded trench segments and rifle-pits were located. A brief metal-detector survey was conducted; and the property was briefly examined for other types of remains, such as prehistoric Indian sites.

 In addition to the field, work, the survey included research into official Civil War documents pertaining to the project area. A limited amount of laboratory analysis was also performed, and Georgia state archeological site forms were prepared.