A Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Cool Branch Substation and Georgetown Cool Branch Transmission Line, Quitman County, Georgia

Oglethorpe Power Corporation contracted with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. to conduct an intensive cultural resources survey of a proposed 3.2 mi (5.2 km) transmission line and 2.85 ac (1.2 ha) substation in Quitman County, Georgia. The purpose of the survey was to locate and evaluate the significance of all cultural resources that could be impacted by the construction and maintenance of the facilities. Cultural resources include both archeological sites and standing structures. Our survey identified three previously unrecorded archeological sites four isolated artifact occurrence. The sites consisted of one small prehistoric ceramic/lithic scatter and two historic house sites. The artifact occurrences include two historic ceramic loci and two prehistoric loci that produced isolated chert tools. Our survey also documented ten structures that appear to be older than fifty years and that are within view of the proposed facilities. The prehistoric site (9QU64) is characterized by a plowzone scatter of ceramics and lithics in a relatively small area disturbed by plowing and previous utility construction. Component information obtained from the prehistoric site was based on the recovery of a small number of identifiable sherds from the surface and shovel tests. The historic sites produced few artifacts due to limited surface exposure, generally eroded conditions, and disturbance resulting from previous construction in the area of the sites. Physical remains of structures are evident in the form of poorly preserved foundations (chimney falls and rock piers), contouring of the ground surface at the locations of the structures and the presence of ornamental vegetation. While mid-nineteenth century ceramics were found in a portion of one of these sites, debris associated with the foundations indicate occupations primarily during the twentieth century. We recommend that these cultural resources are not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because they fail to meet the criteria for eligibility, mainly in that they are not likely to yield additional important information. They have provided us with some basic information but are not likely to yield more important information due to their poor preservation. We recommend no further work at any of these sites. In regard to the standing structures, consulting architectural historian Dr. William Chapman, recommends that none of the 10 are eligible for listing in the National Register, mainly because of loss of integrity and lack of context. It is the recommendation of the principal investigator that no significant (potentially eligible) cultural resources will be affected by construction of the proposed transmission line and substation and that, in regard to cultural resources, the project be given clearance to proceed.