The Spier House Architectural History and Archaeology of An Antebellum House Site

This report presents the results of an architectural historical documentation and archaeological data recovery of Site 9FU411, the Spier House, conducted by New South Associates, Inc. Fieldwork for this project took place in May, September, and October of 2004. The Spier House property, containing a stone and brick-lined basement, three standing granite chimneys, and evidence of three associated outbuildings, is located in Fulton County, Georgia, and is situated just east of the CSX railroad corridor at the intersection of Oakley Industrial Boulevard and Fayetteville Road. This project was completed for Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to mitigate and recover significant archaeological resources that may be impacted by Georgia Department of Transportation project STP-9379-1. The GDOT proposes to construct a grade separation at Oakley Industrial Boulevard and the CSX Railroad and realign Graham and Fayetteville roads to intersect Oakley Industrial Boulevard at approximately 90 degrees to form a new four-way intersection.

The Spier House features two granite end-chimneys that exhibit elements of architectural traditions from Virginia and western North Carolina as well as well as the use of looking granite outcrops. The use of the basement kitchen also appears to reflect architectural traditions from these regions that did not become prevalent in Georgia, perhaps in part due to climatic differences. The archaeological investigations uncovered little in the way of materials remains and indicate that the Spier House yard and cellar were kept clean and that refuse was likely deposited elsewhere, in locations outside the study area.