An Archaeological survey of the Proposed Streetscapes in Downtown Jonesboro (Main, McDonough, Smith, Mill, Church, and College Streets), Clayton County, Georgia

A phase I survey was conducted of 4.76 km. (3.0 mi.) of road right-of-way in Jonesboro, Georgia, Clayton County. The City of Jonesboro has plans to construct new pedestrian friendly sidewalks, curb and gutter drainage, lighting, benches, trash receptacles, thermoplastic road striping at road crossings, traffic light mast arms, and bicycle parking adjacent to road segments in the existing right-of-ways along Main, McDonough, Smith, Mill, Church, and College Streets in Jonesboro, Clayton County, Georgia. Much of the project area has been severely impacted by road construction, business and residential development, utilities installation, and sidewalk construction. Despite rigorous field examination, only one site was encountered during the survey. 9CN153 consists of a vacant lot at the corner of the commercial district along Main Street and the residential neighborhood along Smith Street. The site appears to be a disturbed house site associated with a mid-nineteenth century/twentieth century occupation. The portion of the site that was tested appears largely disturbed although cultural features such as privies, wells, and trash pits may have escaped in-tact. The eligibility of 9CN153 for the National Register was not assessed due to limited testing at the site. All ground disturbance in this area should be limited to the previously disturbed right-of-way. Other historic structures in the area are also likely to have similar cultural middens and features. In addition, the events that occurred within the town during the Battle of Jonesboro in 1864 may have left archaeological features of historical importance. Cypress Cultural Consultants recommends that the Jonesboro project be allowed to proceed within the current right-of-way.