Phase I/ii Cultural Resource Investigation of the Proposed Widening of U.S. Highway 441 in Dodge, Laurens, and Wheeler Counties, Georgia

Phase I/II cultural resource investigations were performed by Garrow & Associates, Inc., under contract with Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., prior to the proposed widening of U.S. Highway 441 in Dodge, Laurens, and Wheeler counties, Georgia. This survey was conducted to assist the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) with cultural resource compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, as it applies to the Federal Highway Administration. The study corridor examined for this report measures 43.4 km (27.0 mi) in length, has a 76.2 m (250 It) right-of-way, and consists of three separate but contiguous sections of U.S. Highway 441. The field survey was conducted between October 24 and November 18, 1994, by the Field Director and three Field Technicians. Further site evaluation was undertaken in July 1995. The topography is characterized by farmlands interspersed with tracts of planted pines. The study corridor was subjected to visual ground surface inspection as well as systematic shovel testing in areas that were undisturbed and/or undeveloped. A total of 398 shovel test pits were excavated during the Phase I cultural resource field survey. Additional shovel tests and 1 x 1 m units were excavated during the second phase of investigations. During the survey, a total of 57 sites were discovered, including 36 historic components and 27 prehistoric components. Of these, three sites are recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). One of the sites (9LS168) that was recommended eligible is not threatened by the proposed widening and will not require further work. For the other two sites (9LS183, 9LS185) that were recommended eligible, the portions in the proposed right-of-way have low research potential, and no further work is warranted. The remaining sites are recommended as ineligible, and no further work is warranted. Several isolated finds (IF), each consisting of less than three artifacts, were recorded. By definition, the isolated finds are ineligible for listing on the NRHP. If the graves at 9LS170 are preserved in place or removed according to state guidelines, the proposed widening should be granted archaeological clearance to construct. If construction plans are changed at sites 9LS168, 9LS183, or 9LS185, data recovery excavations may be necessary. Addendum in 2002. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is in the process of widening U.S. Highway 441 to a four lane-divided highway. As part of the process, cultural resource surveys were conducted in Dodge, Laurens and Wheeler Counties in 1995. The historic Buie turpentine complex was recognized and delineated on U.S. 441 in southern Laurens County, and the GDOT subsequently designed a 5.2 km (3.2 mi) bypass of this eligible National Register District. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) conducted an archeological survey ofthis particular bypass (Alternate A) in March 2001 and submitted a final report in June 2001. Since that time a second bypass (Alternate B) was proposed by the GDOT. The Alternate B bypass is approximately 5 km (3.1 m) long, but 1.5 km (0.9 mi) runs along the existing route of U.S. 441 on the north end. This 1.5 km (0.9 mi) stretch was surveyed in 1995. SAS returned to conduct an archeological survey of the remaining 3.5 km (2.2 mi) of the proposed Alternate B bypass and its ancillary connecting roads in February of 2002. Our archeological survey recorded one new archeological site, a late nineteenth through early twentieth century house site, and two archeological occurrences. We recommend that this archeological site is ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In conclusion, it is the opinion of the principal investigator that the proposed Alternate B bypass and associated connecting roads will not adversely affect any significant (National Register eligible) archeological resources.