A Cultural Resource Assessment of a 4.36 Acre Tract in Ft. Gaines, Clay County, Georgia

On June 29 and 30, 1981, a cultural resource assessment was carried out on a 4.36 acre (1.75 hectare) tract in Fort Gaines, Georgia. There is no indication that there was human habitation on or in the immediate vicinity of the study area during the earliest period in the history of the Fort Gaines vicinity. In the 1960's the present bridge across the Chattahoochee was constructed. It is probably at this time that the greatest modification to the southern edge of the study area was accomplished, with addition of fill for widening the highway. In order to-acquire a field data base, the tract was first examined by surface reconnaissance in order to determine whether surface features or exposures of cultural significance might be present. The next step was to excavate a series of twelve 40 x 40 centimeter shovel tests These shovel tests were distributed throughout the tract. The only site found was in the area considered to be the high probability location at the end of Callaboose Alley, with some debris scattered down the hill from this location. The site located and identified as 9Cla (CM9) has two components. The first and earliest of these is prehistoric Indian. There were no diagnostic artifacts found, however, which would allow cultural identification. There was no evidence that there was any cultural integrity to the subsurface remains at this site. There are no standing structures or monuments of historical or cultural significance within the tract. All of the existing buildings appear to be 20th century and are not esthetically distinctive or outstanding examples of any particular type of architecture. It is therefore the judgement of the Principal Investigator that there are no sites or structures eligible for the National Register of Historic Places within the tract and that no mitigative measures for the preservation of site or buildings are warranted.