Southern Research, Historic Preservation Consultants, Inc. has completed a Phase I Cultural
Resources Survey of the Swift Mill Property located in Columbus (Muscogee County), Georgia.
The Area of Potential Effect (APE) is a 92-acre tract located in the northwestern quadrant of the intersection of J.R. Allen Parkway (US Highway 80) and Manchester Expressway (GA Highway 85). No extant historic structures are located within the APE and none are within view of the APE. The southern half of the tract formerly contained the Swift Mill; the buildings are now gone, leaving large expanses of pavement, some fencing, and a retention pond. The northern half of the tract is relatively undisturbed, save for a buried pipeline that parallels the creek, culverts that go under J.R. Allen Parkway, and erosion from past farming. One archaeological site (9ME1406) was recorded. The site is a moderately dense precontact artifact scatter consisting mostly of lithic material, though one pottery sherd was recovered. Additionally, a single impacted lead musket ball was recovered. Artifact diversity at the site is quite low, suggesting it is unlikely to contain new or significant information concerning precontact peoples. Therefore, we recommend site 9ME1406 not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
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