Second Addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey of the County Road (CR) 723/Forest Hill Road from State Route (SR) 19 to CR 5277/Wood Forest Place, Bibb County, Georgia.

In March 2020, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) conducted a Second Addendum to the Phase I archaeological resource survey of the proposed widening of County Road (CR) 723/Forest Hill Road from State Route (SR) 19 to CR 5277/Wood Forest Place, located within the City of Macon in Bibb County, Georgia (Figure 1). The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes the widening of CR 723/Forest Hill Road to a three-lane section with a curb and gutter, which will include the addition of a multi-use path, and American with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks and ramps, as well as converting the existing intersection of CR 723/Forest Hill Road at CR 1660/Wimbish Road to a roundabout. The project is needed to improve vehicular safety and operational efficiency as well as provide much needed pedestrian and bicycle facilities in this residential corridor.

This project (PI No. 0013676, formerly PI No. 350520) was previously surveyed for archaeological resources conducted by New South and Associates in 1998 and again in 2012 (Hamby 1998; Botwick 2012). During the original survey, a “study corridor” was considered and consisted of the existing right-of-way (ROW) along CR 723/Forest Hill Road from the intersection of Northside Drive and extending south to Vineville Avenue (Hamby 1998). The ROW along CR 723/Forest Hill Road varies from 80 to 100 feet (ft) (24 to 30 meters [m]). A total of 115 shovel tests were excavated and no archaeological sites were identified during this survey. An addendum survey (Botwick 2012) revisited the original survey corridor, and an area of potential effect (APE) was considered, along with an expanded survey corridor (ESC). For the addendum survey, the APE consisted of the ROW at all the intersections within the original study corridor and a 30 m (100 ft) ESC beyond the APE along intersecting roadways. During the 2012 archaeological survey two archaeological sites (9BI175 and 9BI176) were identified (Botwick 2012). Site 9BI175 was located within the current survey area, while site 9BI176 was located beyond 1-km radius of the current survey. Site 9BI175 is a razed twentieth century house site that is located within the survey area along Wimbish Road. The site was identified as two brick piers, wooden frame shed, and foundation of terracotta blocks along with the recovery of brick, glass and nails. The site was recommended ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D. Based on previous surveys within the survey area, large previously surveyed areas were deemed to have sufficient testing and were not excavated.

For the current project, the APE was defined as the existing and proposed ROW which included all associated and required staging areas and easements needed for project implementation. The existing ROW along Forest Hill Road varies between 80 and 100 ft (24 and 30 m). An ESC was also considered for the current survey. The ESC is a 100-ft (30 m) wide extension along areas of the APE. The total length of the project ESC is approximately 6587.9 ft (2,008 m). The second addendum ESC and APE encompass approximately 54 acres (ac) (21.9 hectares [ha]). The survey area consisted of the combined portions of the APE that are outside of previous survey coverage and also within the ESC.

The second addendum Phase I archaeological survey was completed to assist GDOT in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800). The primary tasks involved to complete this survey were background research and field survey. Background research included a review of previously recorded survey and archaeological site data, local and regional histories, and all available cultural resources studies conducted within the immediate area. A review of the Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS (GNAHRGIS) database revealed one archaeological site has been recorded within the addendum survey area. The second addendum survey area has been the subject of two prior archaeological surveys.

During the course of the current survey, 143 shovel tests locations were investigated within the survey area. A total of 119 shovel tests were able to be excavated and all were negative for cultural material. Twenty-four (24) shovel tests were located within roadway, structures, on slopes, or inundated by water. These shovel test locations could not be reasonably offset and were recorded as “No Dig”. In lieu of shovel testing at No Dig locations, the surrounding environment was subjected to a thorough visual inspection. None of the shovel tests were positive for cultural materials. Overall disturbance in the form of modern refuse and mixed soils was identified throughout the survey area visual inspection of the survey area resulted in the identification of one new archaeological site (9BI274). The previously recorded site 9BI175 was considered as part of the previous survey coverage. No shovel tests were placed within the site boundaries, as this was within the portion of the APE and ESC that was previously surveyed by New South (Botwick 2012). As such the 2012 survey findings and ineligible NRHP recommendation for site 9BI175 should still be considered valid. The current conditions of the site are undeveloped and overgrown with dense vegetation, but no other changes were noted.

Site 9BI274 is the structural remains of an early twentieth century residence, which consists of brick and concrete rubble piles, two terracotta pipes, and a small terrace or steps constructed from field stones. The razed structure that was at the location was constructed in 1900, according to tax assessor records (Bibb County Tax Assessor 2020). No artifacts were collected at the site. Shovel testing at 9BI274 revealed soils consistent with disturbed brown (10YR 4/4) sandy clay loam from the surface to 10 centimeters below surface (cmbs) underlain by compact reddish brown (5YR 4/3) clay from 10 to 30 cmbs. The site is highly disturbed and impacted by razing. The site was not delineated to the west due to the limits of the survey area.

Site 9BI274 has been razed and has no identified deposits, as a result the site lacks integrity due to prior disturbance related to the previous structure’s demolition, associated debris removal, and likely subsequent grading activities. Therefore, the identified portion of 9BI274 within the survey area lacks significant data potential under Criterion D of the NRHP. As the site could not be fully delineated to the west due to the limits of the survey area, the overall NRHP eligibility of 9BI274 should be considered unknown. Since there are unevaluated portions of 9BI274 located to the west of the survey area, those areas are recommended to be considered an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and demarcated with Orange Barrier Fencing (OBF). The OBF will protect the unevaluated portions of 9BI274 during project implementation. OBF placement will be determined at a later date when final project plans are available. However, the site location was subjected to visual inspection to assess any notable changes.