Cultural Resources Survey and Site Evaluation at the Vinings Estates Tract, Cobb County, Georgia

In January 1999, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted cultural resources survey of 220 acres located between Pebble brook Road and Nickajack Creek in Cobb County, Georgia. Initial development plans called for construction of a golf course. A draft report of this investigation was prepared for ta previous developer but was not submitted to review agencies. The property has since changed hands and the development plan now calls for construction of single family homes. Brockington and Associates, Inc. investigated an additional 165 acres of adjoining land for the current property developers in the Fall of 1999. In addition, site 9C03 3 5, a previously recorded site, was evaluated for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility status in January 2000. This report encompasses both investigations, and discusses the cultural resource investigation of the entire 383 acre Vinings Estates tract. The survey tract parallels Nickajack Creek for approximately 2.1 km (1.3 miles), and extends southwest approximately 850 meters (2,789 ft) to Pebblebrook Road. The tract also incorporates a narrow strip of property on the northeast bank of Nickajack Creek. Cultural resources survey was required to comply with cultural resource management provisions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations (33 CFR Part 320-330), implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470, as amended) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344, as amended). This project resulted in the identification of four cultural resources. Site 9CO541 is the remains of a historic stone structure. This structure is shown on current topographic maps. Due to its lack of structural integrity, 9CO541 is recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Site 9CO542 consists of the remains of an abandoned rail line. This resource consists of a section of rail bed, a stone bridge, a stone culvert beneath the rail bed, and three intact brick pilings for a trestle crossing Nickajack Creek. This site is recommended eligible for the NRHP. Site 9C0543, is a complex of relatively well preserved Civil War trenches. These trenches are associated with the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, and more specifically to the Battle of Ruff's Mill. This site is also recommended eligible for the NRHP. Site 9CO549 is a small scatter of lithic debitage and is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. In addition, six previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the survey tract. Four of these sites are located in the northwest section of the tract. Sites 9CO332 and 9CO333 were relocated and updated archaeological site forms were completed. Neither of these sites is recommended eligible for the NRHP. Sites 9CO331 and 9CO334 are also recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Two previously recorded sites will be impacted by the proposed development of survey tract. Site 9CO330, a rockshelter, is also located in the northwest section of the survey tract. This site has been disturbed by flooding and is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9CO335, a historic camp located on a small strip of the tract north of Nickajack Creek, was recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP due to its potential for containing Civil War earthworks. Phase II testing of this site was conducted and three Civil War rifle pits were identified and mapped. However, the degree of disturbance to the entire site area is so high that we are recommending that it be considered ineligible for the NRHP. Two significant cultural resources (i.e., 9CO542 and 9CO543) will be impacted by the development of the Vinings Estates tract, and design modifications are recommended to avoid disturbing these resources. Should avoidance not be possible, this report includes suggestions for mitigation of impacts to the significant resources. However, a Memorandum of Agreement will be required between John Wieland Homes and the regulatory agencies to finalize any mitigation plans.