Site Visit Report, Riverbend WMA, Laurens County

Riverbend WMA (Laurens County) manager Chris Baumann contacted the Historic Preservation Division of Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources regarding buildings that the Wildlife Resources Division of GaDNR wanted to demolish and a group of grave markers that had been found near a wildlife food plot. Mr. Baumann wanted HPD to review and comment on the planned demolition and removal to ensure compliance with any applicable requirements. The group of buildings scheduled for demolition and removal are located at the intersection of roads on the crest of a knoll about 700 meters west of the WMA office. WMA management wants to remove the buildings because of liability concerns. The buildings are in poor condition, and portions of the roofs have fallen in. There are three wood structures and two metal storage buildings in the complex. One of the buildings is constructed of logs and hewn timbers with a shake roof that has been covered with metal (Figures 2-5). One corner of the building interior has been partially paneled in pine planks. Mr. Baumann is of the opinion that the log building was transported in from some other location, and the evidence supports this. The building sits on square sawn timbers that have been placed on a mix of wooden and loose brick piers (visible in the photos). There is no chimney or steps, and domestic artifacts are absent. The largest building in the complex is a cedar pole shed with a tin roof and open sides (Figure 6). A small frame shed with clapboard siding sits near the other two buildings (Figure 7). Two round metal storage structures complete the complex. There is a sparse chert scatter on the crest around the building complex. Examination of nearby roads and a recently cut firebreak indicated that this is a sparse disturbed scatter. No ceramics or diagnostic lithics were found, and no collection was made. Mr. Baumann reported that most of the roads in the area contain occasional flakes. A possibly unrelated pole structure is located about 1/4 mile from the other buildings. It is a partially roofed, fenced enclosure that is thought to be an old turkey pen. It will also be torn down and the poles will be recycled on the WMA. Figure 8 is a sketch map of the building complex.