Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluative Testing at Site 9Gw347 Proposed Annistown Road Improvements Project

R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a cultural resources survey of the proposed Annistown Road Improvements Project in Gwinnett Counties, Georgia in February of 1996. The assessment was conducted on behalf of HNTB Architects, Engineers, Planners and the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation. The purpose of the project was to locate and identify cultural resources within the proposed road corridor and assess resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria. The assessment included a literature/records search and an archeological field survey of the project area. A historic structures survey was conducted by the Jaeger Company and reported in Historic Resources Survey Report and Requests for Determination of Eligibility, Project 7007 Widening of Annistown Road (1994). Review of pertinent National Register files, historic structures files and archeological site files revealed that no National Register resources are located within the project area. One known archeological site was reported to be within the proposed corridor. Based on an amateur report, Site 9GW7, was identified as a Woodland village located below the modern Annistown Bridge. This site was not relocated during the survey. Archival search indicated the presence of at least 16 historic structures/structural complexes within or immediately adjacent to the proposed corridor. Fifteen cultural resources were detected during the field survey and include four late l9th/early 20th century house sites, one late l9th/early 20th century farm complex, one 20th century house site, one l9th/early 20th century mill/prehistoric rockshelter site, five isolated finds and three isolated rock piles. Fourteen of the resources were recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9GW347, the mill/rockshelter site, was recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP. This site was tested in May 1996. The results indicated the presence of intact l9th/early 20th century mill features with an associated midden and an undisturbed Early Mississippian period stratum in the vicinity of the rockshelter. Archival research revealed that the mill was owned and operated by one of the earliest settlers in Gwinnett County and had figured prominently in the economic and social life of the surrounding community. Based on these findings, Site 9GW347 is recommended as eligible for the NRHP. Since the site will be impacted by the road corridor improvements, preparation and implementation of a data recovery plan is recommended.