Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Proposed North Godley Industrial Park Pooler, Chatham County, Georgia

Background

R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed North Godley Industrial Park site, in Chatham County, Georgia, between March 10 and 14, 2014. The study was conducted on behalf of Resource and Land Consultants to locate and identify cultural resources within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE) and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places criteria [36 CFR Part 60.4]. The area requiring survey for cultural resources covers approximately 40.1 hectares (99.1 acres).

The Phase I cultural resources survey included a literature review and an intensive field survey. During the literature review, state and county records, maps, and documents were examined to determine if previously recorded archeological sites or historic structures are located in or near the project area. Using surface inspection, screened shovel testing and landscape scanning techniques, the field survey was conducted to identify and record cultural resources within the study area.

Results

Literature Review: No previously recorded historic structures/properties are in, or within 1.6 kilometers (km) of the project area and its APE. No previously recorded archeological sites have been recorded within the project area. Five previously recorded archeological sites are located within 1.6 km of the project area, each of which was recommended NRHP-ineligible. The 1950s and 1980s USGS quadrangle maps show a 400- meter (m) section of the early 20th century Midland Railway rail grade traversing the southwest corner of the project area. Maps and aerial photographs also show three roads crossing the project area. Cultural Resources Field Survey: The 400-m section of the early 20th century Midland Railway grade was visited during the current field survey and recorded as archeological site 9CH1367. It was found that an approximate 140-m section of the rail grade is still reasonably intact. This section is located within a swamp in the southwest part of the project area. The remaining portions of the rail grade within the project area have been disturbed by 20th century clearing and silviculture. It also appears that sections of the rail bed northwest and immediately southeast of the project area have been destroyed by subdivision development (northwest) and major road construction (southwest). The preserved but isolated 140-m section of the Midland Railway in the project area does not appear to convey important information regarding broad patterns in regional history or historic railroad construction engineering; nor is this section of the rail corridor likely to retain significant archeological information. On this basis, it does not appear that the intact portion of 9CH1367 contributes significantly the historic transportation route known as the Midland Railway. Three road corridors that are more than 50 years old traverse the project area. None of these resources appear to meet NRHP eligibility criteria due to severe disturbance/destruction, poor condition, lack of associated historic context, modern use/maintenance, and/or marginal age. Recommended Treatments: It is the opinion of R.S. Webb & Associates that the intact section of the Midland Railway recorded as 9CH1367 does not warrant additional work because it does not contribute to the overall significance of the historic Midland Railway route. If 9CH1367 is determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and/or the Georgia Historic Preservation Division to contribute to the historic route of the Midland Railway, then additional work may be required for 9CH1367. No additional work is advised for the three historic road corridors in the project area.