Cultural Resources Survey of the Hale-Watkins Tract, Stephens County, Georgia

The Stephens County Development Authority wishes to develop the 46.1-ha (114-ac) Hale-Watkins tract and another nearby 8.5 ha (21 ac) tract in southeastern Stephens County. They intend to submit a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development application, which requires surveys to determine the presence of cultural resources (archaeological sites and historic structures) within the project’s area of potential effect and an assessment of likely consequences (effects) of the project on significant cultural resources. Significance is measured by whether the site or structure is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Hale-Watkins tract borders an existing and partially developed industrial tract and the newly constructed State Route 17. Archival research indicated that there were three sets of structures on the Hale-Watkins tract and none on the other, smaller tract. In addition, there is one standing house older than 50 years directly across Historic Highway 17 from the Hale-Watkins tract. Archival research also showed that no archaeological sites have been recorded on either tract, but that one house site was recorded across Hayes Wilbank Road from the tract. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the tracts from November 11-21, 2019 and conducted an evaluation of the standing house from November 24 through December 11, 2019. 

The archaeological field survey located two archaeological sites on the Hale-Watkins tract, sites 9ST362 and 9ST363. Both are badly disturbed, late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century farmsteads. Our systematic shovel testing of the sites indicated that neither is likely to contain information important to the history of the region, and neither is known to be associated with persons or events important in history. We therefore recommend that there are no significant (eligible to the National Register) archaeological sites on either tract. 

The Hayes-Hale house dates to the 1890s and is in good condition across Historic Highway 17 (East Main Street) from the Hale-Watkins tract. It is not within the subject property, but is within view of the Hale-Watkins tract. We recommend that this farmstead, which also includes a standing barn, is eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places under criteria A, B and C. Current plans call for a large commercial/industrial building to be constructed directly across the road from the house. While two other large commercial/industrial buildings already are within the view shed of the Hayes-Hale house (at distances of 275 and 650 m), we believe the proposed new structure, which will be 100 m in front of the house, may constitute an adverse visual effect.