Phase I Cultural Resource Survey for the Proposed Dawsonville Highway Regional Wastewater Facilities Project, Hall County, Georgia

TRC conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey for the proposed Dawsonville Highway Regional Wastewater Facilities Project in Hall County, Georgia, near Gainesville, during November 2002. The project was undertaken for Wiedeman & Singleton. The survey included both archaeological and historic structures surveys. The project corridor consists of three components: 8,500 linear feet of gravity sanitary sewer easement and approximately 19,000 linear feet of force main easement, along with a short access road and pump station site. Corridor width, including the actual pipe trench plus a workspace, is 50 feet.

The archaeological survey, conducted November 18-19, 2002, involved documentation of archaeological sites and cultural features within the project corridor. A review of the Georgia archaeological site file showed that no archaeological sites had been reported in the project corridor. One archaeological resource was identified during fieldwork. Site 9HL480 is an abandoned agricultural site, consisting of well, a small shed, a livestock feeder, "hog" fence, and a below-surface fallout shelter recorded separately as an historic structure (HS-1 ). This site is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

The historic structures survey was conducted November 18-19, 2002, and sought to identify all structures 50-years old or older within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE). Due to the buried nature of the project, the APE was defined as the proposed project corridor and any area that might be within view of any major clearing of vegetation necessary for construction of the project. Because most of the proposed corridor already has been cleared and disturbed, the project APE essentially corresponds to the width of the proposed corridor itself, except in the location of the proposed pump station and access road. TRC identified three historic structures in the vicinity of the proposed pump station and access road. Two of these are on the opposite side of the highway from the proposed pump station site, and both are recommended eligible for the NRHP. HS-2 is a dwelling and HS-3 is a property with dwelling, barn, and outbuildings. Due to the presence of the highway in the viewshed of these structures, it is the opinion of TRC that their historic integrity has already been compromised, and there will be no adverse effect on the resources from the current project. HS-1 is a 1960s-era fallout shelter (associated with archaeological site, 9HL480) located on the property that will contain the proposed pump station. This resource will be removed as part of construction of the pump station. Although not yet 50- years of age, this resource is recommended eligible for the NRHP due to its association with the Cold War. TRC recommends that the structure be recorded prior to its dismantling.