Archaeological Evaluation of Three Sites in the Proposed McIntosh Pipeline Corridor

In June 1993, Georgia Power Company (GPC) contracted with Brockington and Associates, Inc., to conduct archaeological investigations at three sites previously recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). These sites (9EF155, 9EF156, and 9EF157) are located within the Vogtle-Effingham-Thalmann (VET) transmission line corridor, in Effingham County, Georgia. GPC is planning construction of a gas pipeline in a section of the VET corridor containing two of these sites (9EF156 and 9EF157). Proposed gas pipeline construction in the adjacent Savannah Electric and Power Company transmission line corridor could affect the third eligible site, 9EF155. Construction of the VET transmission line is part of a federally licensed undertaking (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) related to construction and operation of Plant Vogtle; therefore, sites identified as eligible for the NRHP are subject to National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 review when endangered. Archaeological investigations at 9EF155, 9EF156 and 9EF157 focused on site boundary definition, re-evaluation of these sites to provide data relative to their present NRHP status, determination of specific possible impacts, and development of potential data recovery options. Archaeological testing at 9EF155, 9EF156, and 9EF157 was conducted on June 23 and 24, 1993. These sites were originally located and recorded by Garrow and Associates, Inc., during the Vogtle-Effingham-Thalmann transmission line survey (Garrow 1984). As previously recorded, site occupations are primarily historic, ranging from the middle nineteenth through the early twentieth century. Site 9EF155 was reported to also contain a prehistoric (possibly Woodland) component. These sites were recorded in portions of the VET transmission line corridor located to the west of Rincon, Georgia (Figure 1). The site areas are generally level, at between 75 to 80 feet ft above mean sea level (AMSL), and are located on the creek terrace between Polly Creek and Rincon Branch. Site evaluations by Garrow (1984) are somewhat problematic. Under the chapter subheading "Potentially Eligible Properties within the Coastal Marine Flatlands," 9EF155, 9EF156, and 9EF157 are cited as "properties that contain potentially significant historic components" (Garrow 1984:105). Associated state site forms indicate that these sites are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance. The. latter recommendation may be due to the lack of a "potentially eligible" category on the. Georgia Site Form. Nonetheless, for management purposes, Georgia Power Company has considered these sites to be eligible for the NRHP. Background research consisted of a review of previous site documentation (e.g., reports, site forms), and examination of property records at the Superior Court in Springfield, Georgia. Information from reports by Garrow (1984) and Gardner (1991) proved especially useful for site descriptions, natural setting and cultural contexts. Site relocation and testing consisted of surface examination of cleared/bare surface areas, and the excavation of screened shovel tests on a 30 meter or less interval across the previously defined site boundaries. Additional short interval testing was deemed sufficient for site assessment. This report includes reviews of the current and past natural environment (Chapter 2) and cultural background (Chapter 3) of the project area. Chapter 4 describes investigation methods, while Chapter 5 presents the testing results. Chapter 6 summarizes these results and provides management recommendations. Appendix A is the artifact catalog and Appendix B contains the resumes of key project personnel.