Phase I Archaeological Survey of 6.35 Miles of Shared Use Trails In South Rockdale Park, Rockdale County Georgia

Apalachee Research Archaeological Consultants Inc. completed a Phase 1 Archaeological Survey on behalf of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners in August 2017. This investigation was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations 36CFR800. The goal was to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed development on historic properties. The proposed development consists of 6.35 miles of mixed use trails in South Rockdale Park in western Rockdale County.

This investigation preceded with a literature review that indicated there are no previously recorded historic properties or cultural resources within the project area. The ensuing fieldwork consisted of an intensive archaeological survey along the proposed trail corridors and documentation of structures that are 50 years of age or older on or adjacent to the proposed trail corridors that could have visual or other indirect effects. As a result of the fieldwork we identified one historic structure, three archaeological sites and three isolated artifact finds.

The historic structure is the de Castro house, which is not in the path of the proposed trails but is potentially within the area of visual or indirect effects. The Castro family donated this house along with 88 acres to the Rockdale County Government in 1991 with the request that it serve as a nature preserve. It retains sufficient integrity to warrant preservation. If preservation is not possible then additional documentation is warranted to fully evaluate its NRHP eligibility.

The archaeological sites include a historic homesite (9RO165), a grouping of piles stones features (9RO166), and a whiskey still (9RO167). These three sites lack significant research potential because they are disturbed, lack integrity, and are common site types for which there are better preserved or protected examples. It is unlikely that continued excavations at these sites would produce new, non-redundant, or non-trivial information that could contribute to current research issues. We conclude these three sites do not meet eligibility requirements for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and recommend no further fieldwork. The three isolated artifact finds were not recorded as archaeological sites and also warrant no further work.