Preliminary Research on Cultural Resources Observed During Anthony Shoals Site Evaluation Trip

On May 13 I represented the Historic Preservation Section in a field evaluation of the Anthony Shoals nomination. During a half-day tour of the property three cultural resources were observed. The following descriptions of these resources are made for the benefit of the field evaluation team. They are incomplete and subject to corrections generated by more thorough research. Broad River Manufacturing Co. "Old Thompson Factory" This factory site is located at Anthony Shoals on the Broad River in Elbert County (see map). The factory was established in 1847 as the Broad River Manufacturing Company. At a later stage it was known as the Hopewell Factory; then in 1859 a John Thompson from Richmond County purchased the factory for $10,000. The date the mill ceased operations is unknown; however, this 5,000 spindle mill for processing cotton and wool products was of such importance that the superintendent was exempted from military service during the Civil War. A mill village site and Thompson's residence site are reported to be located near the factory. Much of the iron from the factory was sold as scrap during World War II (Wilcox 1968). The site appeared to be relatively undisturbed with no eminent intrusions observed. An opportunity to survey the site for features in addition to some foundations and walls was unavailable. Smith - Bunch Mill. The stone, brick and masonry foundation of a structure was observed in northeast Wilkes County at Anthony Shoals on the Broad River (see map). At this time no additional information is available other than name and location of a mill in the area on three historical maps: Smith Mill, Sturges 1818; Bunch Mill, Butts 1882 and 1889. Prehistoric Site. On the Broad River floodplain up stream from Anthony Shoals in Wilkes County indications of an Indian occupation site were found along the shoreline (see map). A fragment of a stone vessel and fragments of ceramic vessels were retrieved. Based on the artifacts a range from 3,000-2,000 years before. the present to A.D..1,500 is estimated. This sample provided only a glimpse of the potential significance for a site with this span of occupation.