In the course of conducting an archeological survey in advance of the proposed widening of U.S. 129 between Athens and Arcade, Georgia, a small family cemetery was found in the proposed new right-of-way. The cemetery is located on the east side of U.S. 129, directly opposite South Jackson School and Brock Road (Figure 1). A single inscribed tombstone "Baby Sister Varnum, 1909" and five additional graves are present.
The cemetery study was conducted in order to ensure that the Georgia Department of Transportation is following state laws concerning the effect that development will have on cemeteries (Georgia Code Section 36-72). The entire cemetery is included in the proposed new right-of-way for U.S. 129. If it is not possible to redesign the road widening to avoid the cemetery, it may be necessary to obtain a permit to move the burials.
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