Archaeological Survey of the Cobb County East-west Connector, Phase V

An intensive archeological survey was conducted on the eastern portion (Phase V) of the proposed Cobb County East-West Connector. The project encompasses about 1.8 km of new location right-of-way, about 3.1 km of road widening and the reconfiguration of three existing interchanges. The project occurs in a heavily developed section of southern Cobb County, and large portions of the project area, especially the road widening and interchange reconfiguration portions, were almost completely graded and developed. A comprehensive literature and background search was conducted. Sources consulted included the National Register of Historic Places files and other files at the Historic Preservation Division office, the Cobb County Historic Preservation files, the state Archeological Site Files and the University of Georgia Libraries' Map Room and Georgia Room. Several archeological survey reports from nearby, including the preceding survey of the Phase IV project corridor were also examined. Field survey was conducted by walking the entire project area, carefully inspecting for visual indicators of sites (such as Civil War trenches, old house sites), and excavating shovel tests where relatively undisturbed ground was obscured by vegetation and leaf litter. Only one new site, a disturbed twentieth century house site, was recorded, and we recommend that this site, 9CO512, is not eligible for listing on the National Register because it is not likely to yield important new information on the history of the area. Two nearby previously recorded sites were determined to lie outside of the project area. There is no evidence of Civil War earth works (trenches) within the project area, although two Union lines did cross the project area. Similarly, there is no remaining evidence of an interurban trolley line that ran from Marietta to Atlanta, through the project area, from 1905 to 1947. Two nearby National Register properties, the J. H. Carmichael Farm and General Store and Johnson's Line, are both outside of the project's construction zone and will not be physically affected. In regard to archeological resources, it is the opinion of the principal investigator that the construction of Phase V of the Cobb County East-West Connector will not adversely affect significant cultural resources.