Archaeological Survey of the 11.94 Acre Holbrook Tract

Archaeological survey of the 11.94 acre Holbrook Tract, in Hart County, Georgia, was conducted by Brockington and Associates, Inc., during April 1992. These investigations were conducted in compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) guidelines regarding potential impact of construction and/or operation of combustion turbine generating plants on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed or eligible sites. Transco Energy Ventures Company (TEVCO) anticipates purchase of this tract and has proposed construction of an access road through the northern corner of the property. The entire tract, containing the Patterson-Turner homeplace (a ca.1835 residence), was listed on the NRHP in July 1990. Project goals consisted of (1) the location and evaluation of archaeological manifestations within the tract which might be affected by construction of the proposed access road; and (2) (2) application of the Criteria of Effect and Adverse Effect (36 CFR Sections 800.8 and 800.9) of the proposed road as it related to the listed NRHP property and any significant archaeological resources recorded within the tract. Historical and archaeological research consisted of the examination of relevant archival resources, field survey, and artifact analysis. Site-specific archival research focused on documentation of property ownership and use history. Survey methods consisted of systematic 20 meter interval screened shovel testing, and nonsystematic surface collection of the entire tract. Laboratory analysis was conducted on both survey artifacts and a large surface collection of historic ceramics maintained by the present owner. Archival research and artifact analysis provided evidence for nearly continuous site occupation from cat 1835 to the present. Archaeological survey revealed three light density scatters (Loci 1, 2, and 3) of historic artifacts and a single locus of prehistoric material (Locus 4) within the site area (9HA28). The majority of the tract has been severely disturbed by intensive agricultural practices and resultant erosion. Cultural material recovered in Loci 1, 3, and 4 are limited to surface contexts. While subsurface artifacts probably associated with the main house and outbuilding cluster of the Patterson-Turner homeplace were recovered at Locus 2, these deposits are limited in variety and quantity and, like those of the other loci, have been disturbed by agricultural activity and erosion. Analysis of investigation results indicate that construction of the proposed access road will have no effect on significant archaeological resources. The extent and condition of recorded archaeological loci do not suggest additional significance of the Patterson-Turner homeplace (9HA28) under Criterion D of the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Consideration of possible visual impact of the proposed road indicates that there will be no adverse effect. Based on these investigations, the project tract is recommended cleared for the proposed road construction.