Phase I Archaeological Survey and Geophysical Survey for the Bridge Replacement on State Route 52 ALT over the Town Branch River Murray County, Georgia

The following report details the results of a terrestrial Phase I Archaeological survey and a Geophysical survey for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project CSBRG-0007-00(047), PI 0007047, in Murray County, Georgia. The project proposes to replace GDOT Bridge #213-0007-0, located on State Route (SR) 52 Alt over Town Branch River. SR 52 Alt is a two lane rural facility with one 12-foot travel lane in each direction and 6-foot shoulders. The existing right-of-way (ROW) is approximately 60 feet. The proposed typical section is two 12-foot lanes with 10-foot shoulders. The proposed ROW varies from 60-130 feet.

The Phase I Archaeological survey, metal detecting, and geophysical surveys took place over the course of several days: June 25, 2015 through June 26, 2015; July 29, 2015 through July 31, 2015; and again on October 21, 2015 through October 23, 2015 and July 14, 2016. The archaeological survey results are in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). This survey and the geophysical investigations were completed in accordance with GDOT’s Environmental Procedures Manual. In addition, a permit was obtained to access portions of the survey that took place on property owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Prior to field work, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) and Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resource Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. This background research indicated that 14 previously recorded sites and 14 previous surveys are within 1 kilometers of the survey area. Five sites fall within the Area of Potential Effects (APE). The review also identified portions of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail designated by the National Park Service (NPS), the National Register Listed Spring Place Historic District (NRHP 2005, Rhea 2015), the Old Federal Road, the Vann House, which is a National Register Listed property and managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and an early 1800 lane recorded by Rogers in 2003 (Rogers 2003). Early notification and coordination with the DNR, NPS, the Georgia Chapter Trail of Tears Association, and federally-recognized tribal governments regarding these resources were carried out.

As a result of this survey, five previously recorded sites (9MU106, 9MU154, 9MU200, 9MU201, and 9MU202) were revisited and two new additional sites (9MU199 and 9MU203) were recorded within the APE. Site 9MU106, recorded archaeologically in 1981, is the site of Cherokee Chief James Vann’s House. The Vann House is an America Georgian style home built around 1803 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1969.

The Vann House is managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, Site 9MU154 is the site of an early 19th century Moravian Mission first recorded in 2006 and is a contributing resource for the NRHP-listed Spring Place Historic District. Another contributing resource is site 9MU200, God’s Acre cemetery associated with the Springplace Mission. This site was surveyed in 2000 by Nina Serman. These three sites (9MU106, 9MU154, and 9MU200), in addition to the Old Federal road, are part of, and contribute to the listed district. Site 9MU201 could be the location of a barn that was present during the time the Vann family occupied the property or other farming structures constructed by later Spring Place residents. Site 9MU202 is a 20th century historic surface scatter with a well.

Newly recorded site 9MU199 is a late 19th-early 20th century house site. Site 9MU203 is a late 19th-early 20th century historic scatter recommended as having unknown eligibility for the NRHP. 9MU106 is a listed resource, and sites 9MU154 and 9MU200 are contributing resources to a listed district and all three sites should be avoided. If these sites cannot be avoided, it is recommended that impacts to the sites be minimized and mitigated. The portions of sites 9MU202 and 9MU203 within the APE lack data potential, however their overall eligibility is unknown. It was determined that the portions of the sites 9MU199 and 9MU201, within the project APE, need additional testing to identify if the portions within the APE contain significant data potential. Effects to listed and eligible properties will be determined in a forthcoming Assessment of Effects (AOE).