Phase II Evaluation of Sites 9Pa51, 9Pa54, 9Pa56, and 9Pa59 for the Colony Homes Development Tract and Proposed Taylor Farm Park Tract, Paulding County, Georgia

This report documents a Phase 11 archaeological and architectural assessment of four sites in Paulding County, Georgia, by TRC Garrow Associates, Inc. (formerly known as Garrow & Associates, Inc.), under contract with Colony Homes of Woodstock, Georgia. The sites were discovered during a Phase I archaeological survey performed July 11-22, 1994, by TRC Garrow. This report is the final version of an earlier draft report submitted by TRC Garrow, dated February 1995 (Kirkland and Stoops 1995). This final version addresses the original survey area as two separate properties-the Taylor Farm Park Tract and the Upland Tract-as a result of the sale of an approximately 224 acre portion of the property to Paulding County for development as a park. Colony Homes has released their interest in the work to the county, and this final version of the report is being submitted on behalf of Paulding County. Separate management plans are presented for the two tracts. The sites identified in the Taylor Farm Park Tract during the Phase I investigation were recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) and Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (GASHPO) concurred with the recommendations. No further cultural resource investigations are required in that tract, and clearance to construct is recommended. The sites tested include one abandoned cemetery (9PA54), one historic site (9PA56), and two prehistoric sites (9PA51 and 9PA59). The Phase 11 field evaluation of these sites was completed between September 21, 1994, and February 2, 1995. All of the tested sites are in the Upland Tract. During the Phase I survey, 9PA51 and 9PA58 were defined as two sites because shovel tests between them yielded no cultural materials. However, testing for the current study revealed that the sites were separated by only 30 m. Therefore, 9PA51 and 9PA58 were combined as 9PA51 for this report, and the initial site areas are referred to as Locus 51 and Locus 58. The artifact assemblage was comprised of lithic tools, lithic debris, ceramics, and a limited quantity of historic materials. This site is located on the crest of a ridge uphill from an unnamed tributary of Sweetwater Creek. Evidence of intact deposits and limited spatial integrity were found at 9PA51. Therefore, 9PA51 is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D of 36 CFR 60.4. Data recovery is recommended if any future activity will impact the site deposits. Twenty-five graves were delineated at 9PA54. These interments represent the remains of the original cemetery for the Bethel United Methodist Church. Site 9PA54 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A. Preservation in place is recommended as part of any development that might be proposed for the property by the current or subsequent landowners. A preservation plan should be approved in accordance with the Abandoned Cemeteries and Burial Grounds Act (Georgia Code § 36-72-1), and a suggested plan is included with this report. A permit may be required from the county as well. Site 9PA56 is a historic house site with archaeological deposits and a standing structure. Archaeological, architectural, and documentary evidence suggests an occupation date from the beginning of the 1900s to the mid-twentieth century. The site consists of a domestic house structure and associated deposits. The archaeological deposits and the standing structure on 9pa56 are recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criteria C and D. Site 9PA59 is a prehistoric site located on the crest of a ridge above Sweetwater Creek. The artifact assemblage consisted of lithic debris, lithic tools, and a small quantity of ceramic sherds. No stratigraphic integrity or evidence of intact features were found. Therefore, 9PA59 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP.