Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed SR 223/Robinson Avenue Road Improvement, Columbia County, Georgia

In April 2014, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed improvement of State Route (SR) 223/Robinson Avenue in Columbia County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.I. No. 00011414, GP No. 140729-001). The proposed improvements include the transition from a grassed central median to a two-way left turn lane outside the City Center limits, intersection improvements at Katherine Street, a realignment of School Street, and an improved railroad crossing. As such, the project limits for this study extend from SR 388/Wrightsboro Road toward SR 10/Gordon Highway for approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers). The area of potential effect (APE) for this survey area includes the existing SR 223/Robinson Avenue corridor along with its present right-of-way (ROW) and portions of side streets where intersection improvements are planned. An additional 100-foot expanded survey corridor (ESC) was added to each side of the corridor as stipulated by GDOT's Environmental Procedures Manual (GDOT 2013a) in order to fully account for possible impacts to cultural resources. Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. These data indicate that no archaeological sites have been previously recorded in the survey area. Expanding the search to a 1-kilometer radius revealed that there was one archaeological site, 9RI328, recorded within the project vicinity. Site 9RI328 was recorded in 1991 as a sparse historic surface scatter within a telephone line corridor on the Fort Gordon army base, approximately 1 kilometer east of the survey area. It was recommended ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). As a result of this survey, two newly recorded resources, 9CB652 and 9CB653, were recorded, three isolated fi nds (Isolated Find [IF] 1, IF 2, and IF 3) were documented, and the Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 9CB654, was delineated. Sites 9CB652 and 9CB653 were determined to be small, historic artifact scatters associated with historic house sites. Data maintained by the Columbia County Property Appraiser revealed that these houses likely dated to the early to middle twentieth century. Both sites revealed artifacts consistent with a late nineteenth and early through middle twentieth century deposition and are interpreted as the material remains of these historic households. Based on the small, non-diverse assemblages represented at these sites and the disturbed nature of their plowzone context, the portion of these resources within the survey boundaries do not appear to contribute to the eligibility of these sites for the NRHP under Criterion D. Because neither site can be conclusively delineated beyond the boundaries of the survey area, however, the overall eligibility of these resources is recommended as unknown. IF 1, IF 2, and IF 3 were recorded in the ESC in the central portion of the survey area. Each consisted of isolated historic artifacts and are, by defi nition, not considered eligible for NRHP listing. Because these finds could not be fully delineated, further work may be necessary to delineate them should impacts be planned in the vicinity of their undefined boundaries. One historic cemetery, 9CB654, was also investigated as a result of this survey. The Grove Baptist Church Cemetery was identified on either side of SR 223/Robinson Avenue immediately west of Old Thomson Road. Probing with a metal rod was conducted along the edges of this resource at 30.5-centimeter (1-foot) intervals along transects spaced 1-meter (3.28-feet) apart. As a result of this, no unmarked graves were identified within the APE; however, seven possible unmarked graves were identified within the ESC within a wooded lot west of the cemetery. The cemetery is recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP under Criterion C, and of unknown eligibility under Criterion D. Further investigation is needed to establish the boundaries of this resource and assess its eligibility status should impacts be planned for the ESC in its vicinity.