Cultural Resources Survey of the Berrien County Airport Improvement Areas

From November 12 through November 14, 2008, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Berrien County Airport improvement area in Nashville, Berrien County; Georgia (Figure 1.1). This survey was conducted as part of the Berrien County Environmental Assessment (EA) and is in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The 63-acre study area consists of undeveloped county airport property and undeveloped and developed lots adjacent to the airport property. The project Area of Potential Effects (APE) includes a 1.25-mile radius centered on the study area. Therefore, the project APE includes the 63-acre study area, as well as a potential viewshed that, in some areas, extends a maximum of 1.25 miles. The survey was conducted to determine if cultural resources are located within or near the study area and is in preparation for airport improvements. These improvements include a 994 foot extension of the runway, an improved instrument approach clear zone with a 3/a mile visibility from the east (the existing 1-mile visibility minimum from the west would be maintained), and the expansion and realignment of the terminal area infrastructure. The project consisted of both archival research and field survey. Archival research focused on documenting previously recorded archaeological and architectural resources within the project APE. Research was conducted at the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta, the Berrien County Tax Assessors Office in Nashville, and at the Berrien County Public Library, main branch, in Nashville. At the HPD, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) file and Berrien County survey file were reviewed to determine if any National Register eligible, nominated, or listed resources are within or adjacent to the project area. At the Berrien County Tax Assessors Office, property records were reviewed to assist in identifying historic resources in or near the project area. At the Berrien County Public Library, county histories and cemetery records were consulted. The Georgia Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS database (NAHRGIS) was also reviewed to determine if any previously recorded archaeological sites are located within or adjacent to the project tract. Our archival research revealed that there are no previously recorded NRHP eligible, nominated, or listed buildings, structures, objects, or archaeological sites in the project APE. However, there is one previously recorded cemetery within the APE (the Saint James Cemetery). This cemetery is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. The cultural resources field survey identified one previously unrecorded archaeological site within the study area. The site consists of the remnants of three early-to-mid twentieth century tar kilns and a turpentine still. Due to the overall excellent integrity of this site, it is recommended eligible for the NRHP. Avoidance of this site is recommended. If avoidance is not possible than a mitigation plan would be necessary. The cultural resources survey also identified four previously unrecorded architectural resources within the project APE. They are BE-BCA-1, the Beetree District, an early-to-mid twentieth century residential neighborhood and former pickle plant complex; BEBCA-2, the Central of Georgia Railroad corridor; BEBCA-3, a 1946 side gable bungalow and a circa 1950 American Small House; and BE-BCA-4, a circa 1950 side gable cottage and barn. BE-BCA-1, the Beetree District, BE-BCA-3, the Thomas Farm, and BE-BCA-4 are recommended not eligible for the NRHP However BE-BCA-2, the Central of Georgia Railroad corridor is recommended eligible for the NRHP BE-BCA-2 the Central of Georgia Railroad is within BE-BCA-1, the Beetree District, but is not within the project area boundary. It should also be noted that while the North John Street area of BEBCA-1, the Beetree District, is within the project area, the remainder of the district and the other architectural resources are located outside the project area boundary but within the project APE.