Addendum Report Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Summerville Bypass, SR 1/US 27 Chattooga County, Georgia

In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, archaeologists with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT} conducted a Phase I intensive survey of the proposed Summerville Bypass [GDOT Project EDS-0027-00(095}, PI 621082] in Chattooga County, Georgia.

The original survey for the project was conducted by New South Associates in 1997 (Loubser 1997}, followed by subsequent reevaluation surveys by GDOT archaeologists Erica Schoeneberg in 1999 and Luke Erickson in 2005. New South Associates identified four isolated finds and two archaeological sites, 9CG92 a prehistoric Archaic extraction camp and 9CG93, an early 20th century house site. Both 9CG92 and 9CG93 were determined to be ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP}; No cultural resources were identified during the 1999 and 2005 reevaluation surveys.

In November 2008, the presence of an historic resource within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the project in the area of Mack White Gap on Taylor's Ridge was brought to the attention of GDOT cultural resources staff. The Kartah Dell Recreation Area (9CG138} is a Depression-era roadside recreation area constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) circa 1939 and used into the 1950s. In addition to the roadside park, 9CG138 contains an historic iron mining component consisting of approximately 30-40 small iron ore mining pits.

Based on its association with the Civilian Conservation Corps, its preserved condition as a designed landscape, and the potential for the site to yield information pertaining to CCC era construction techniques, early to mid-20th century recreation, and early 20th century iron ore mining practices, the Kartah Dell Recreation Area (9CG138) is considered eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places under criterions A, C, and D.

The following addendum report to the original1997, 1999, and 2005 surveys addresses the identification and evaluation of archaeological site 9CG138, the Kartah Dell Recreation Area and historic iron ore mining resource.