20160770 Ver 1_Bridge 33 part 3_20160808

Carpenter,Kristi
From:Thomson, Nicole J
Sent:Monday, August 08, 2016 2:51 PM
To:[e-mail]; Wrenn, Brian L; [e-mail]; Wilson, Travis
W.
Cc:Carpenter,Kristi; Powers, Tim; Parker, Jerry A
Subject:Bridge No. 33 on SR 2359 (Huffines Mill Road) over Huffines Mill Creek, Rockingham
Co. WBS No. 17BP.7.R.64 - part 3
Attachments:10-03-0133 Rockingham (NHP).pdf
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
Nikki

Nicole J. Thomson
Division Environmental Supervisor Assistant
Division Environmental Office

919-754-7806 Mobile

[e-mail]

PO Box 14996
Greensboro, NC 27415-4996

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the

North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
1

10-03-0133
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
io����/� ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES �'�'���
Q q 4 p'�q; `� 4�)%
,� � �� ��� PRESENT OR AFFECTED FORM ,� � ��
4 �_
o: o t� °�; T h i s f o r m o n l y p e rt a i n s t o A R C H A E O L O G I C A L R E S O U R C E S f o r t h i s p r o j e c t. I t i s n o t '�
� vali d for Historic Arc hitecture an d Lan dsca es. You must consu lt se arate l wit h t he ��`�.����
�:' 4`� p P Y
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No
WBS No:
F.A. No:
Bridge 33
17BP.7.R.64
Federal Permit Required?
County: Rockingham
Document: MCS
Funding: � State ❑ Federal
� Yes ❑ No Permit Type: unknown
Project Description: This project proposes to replace Bridge No. 33, which carries SR2359 over Huffines Mill
Creek in Rockingham County, North Carolina. According to the environmental input request, the undertaking
involves the replacement of the structure along the existing alignment, thereby minimizing potential surface and
subsurface disturbances at this location. An off-site detour route is anticipated. The archaeological Area of
Potentia[ Effects (APE) is centered upon Bridge 33 and measures 400ft in length (200ft from each bridge end-
point) and IOOft in width (SOft from the SR2359 center-line).
SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Archaeology Group reviewed
the subject project and determined:
� There are no National Register listed ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES within the project's
area of potential effects.
� No subsurface archaeological investigations are required for this project.
❑ Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources.
❑ Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources
considered eligible for the National Register.
� All identified archaeological sites located within the APE have been considered and all
compliance for archaeological resources with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and GS 121-12(a) has been completed for this project.
� There are no National Register Eligible or Listed ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES present
or affected by this project. (Attach any notes or documents as needec�
"NO NATIONAL REG/STER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form fo�� Minor Trmisportntion Projec(s ns Qunlified in die 2007 Progrnmum[ic Agreeuieut.
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10-03-0133
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
The project area is located in the south-central portion of Rockingham, directly north of the small Bethany
community (fig. 1). Huffines Mill Creek, subsumed within the Roanoke River Drainage Basin, is a second-order
stream trending generally south to north through the APE. It joins Jacobs Creek several miles northwest of the
project locale before emptying into the Dan River. This section of Rockingham County is characterized by a rolling
and hilly Piedmont terrain with elevations ranging between 700ft AMSL and 850ft AMSL. The APE contains sloping
and eroded ground surfaces.
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Figure 1: Detail of the Bethany topographic map displaying the location of the project area and the historic mill site.
In order to gauge the cultural resource potential of the study area, a map review and site file search was
conducted at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA). This background work determined that no previously
documented archaeological sites are located in the APE or within a one mile or more radius of the project location.
An inspection of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), State Study Listed (SL), Locally Designated (LD),
Determined Eligible (DE), and Surveyed Site (SS) properties employing resources available on the NCSHPO website
evidenced an absence of these historic resources in the APE. Numerous SS properties and a few SL properties are
situated nearby, which demonstrates a long and enduring historic occupation of these southern Rockingham lands.
In addition, historic state and county maps were appraised for the location of former structures, land use patterns,
or other confirmation of historic occupation in the vicinity of the APE. Archaeological/historical reference materials
were inspected as well. Three relatively early 20`h century maps (figs. 4-6) depict a mill pond and two structures,
one of which appears to constitute a commercial building, established in the project area. These maps also imply
that the SR2359 roadway has been shifted south of its original locale. In general, cultural-historical factors suggest
a moderate potential for the recovery of historic features or deposits in the APE.
Further, topographic, geologic, and NRCS soil survey maps (CdB2, Wk) were referenced for the evaluation of
pedeological, geomorphological, hydrological, and other environmental determinants that may have resulted in
past occupation at this location. Aerial photographs (NCDOT Spatial Data Viewer) and the Google Street View map
application (when amenable) were also examined/utilized for assessment of disturbances, both natural and human
induced, which compromise the integrity of archaeological sites. Ecological factors do not suggest a heightened
archaeological site potential in the project APE. Eroded/sloping ground surfaces and impacts related to the SR2359
road construction dominate the diminutive project corridor. The lack of level occupational surfaces indicates that
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER EL/GIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOG/CAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
fa rn fa• Minor Trmispa tnlion Projec(s ns Qun(iJied in die 2007 Progrnwn�nfic Agreenient.
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prehistoric habitation would have been focused on adjoining landforms or along the upland transition to the east
and west of the project limits.
Figure 2: View generally south/southwest of the laid-stone structural foundations.
According to landowner testimony and historic maps, the remains of an historic mill and race are situated in the
project area (figs. 2& 3). Based on this information, an in-field investigation of the APE was conducted
Wednesday, March 5, 2014. The survey work served to confirm the existence of a mill, determine if the
perspective resource is situated within the project APE, and potentially gauge the site's significance and NRHP
eligibility status. Upon arrival, a walk-over of all APE ground surfaces was first completed to identify any above-
ground archaeological or historical remains, and to determine the location and extent of subsurface investigation
necessary for project compliance. The entire project study area was photographed and descriptive notes were
taken at this time. The western project quadrants are essentially absent of floodplain land surfaces. Instead, the
land slopes (10% - 15%) aggressively from the creek channel to an area beyond the western APE boundaries. No
resources were observed here, nor were shovel tests excavated in these areas.
The northeastern quadrant contains the structural remains of an historic mill while the southeastern quadrant
embraces the former mill race feature. Remnants of the dam base are also visible in the stream bed south of the
bridge. The incomplete laid stone foundation of at least one structure, and probably two structures, is situated
along the base of the hillslope immediately north of SR2359 (fig. 2). Although mostly gone and in ruins, enough of
the foundations are remaining to discern the original locations of the water wheel, grinding stone, and other mill
function/activity. The displaced iron mill flume is also present. Sloping and severely eroded ground surfaces
prevented the excavation of subsurface shovel tests in areas directly proximal to the remains. Despite the defined
archaeological APE dimensions, which often incorporate small buffer areas, the mill foundations are located
beyond the limits of the construction footprint. As currently proposed, the bridge replacement will have no affect
on this cultural resource.
"NO NAT/ONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOG/CAL S/TES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
form for Miiror Transpa7ntion Projects ns QualiJied in (he 2007 Progmnnnn[ic Agreement.
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Figure 3: Photograph of the mill race feature taken from the southern edge of the SR2359 ROW.
The southeasten quadrant contains the associated mill race trending along a north-south axis (fig. 3). The race
measures roughly 150ft in length from it's junction with the creek to the SR2359 roadway at the northern end.
Clearly, road construction and ditching has obscured and partially destroyed the feature. However, the majority is
relatively intact and easily identifiable on the landscape. Based on engineering design and construction data, the
intact portions of the mill race will not be impacted by the proposed undertaking.
Figure 4: 1910 Rockingham County Rural Delivery Route Map.
The historic mill remains and race feature documented during the bridge survey were registered with the OSA and
given an official North Carolina archaeological site number (31RK209**). Supplemental research was then
conducted utilizing both internet resources and information contained at the North Carolina State Archives. Based
on this research, the earliest map depicting a mill pond and structure(s) in the direct vicinity of the project area is
the Rockingham County Rural Delivery Route Map (1910s). According to this map (fig. 4), the roadway appears to
have been located north of its current position. While this map illustrates a possible mill present, for how long it
stood at this location prior to 1910, and whether or not it was operational at that period of time, is unclear. The
1926 Soil Survey of Rockingham County details the position of the roadway and displays the project location with
structures and pond precisely as the 1910 map (fig. 5). Interestingly, the 1938 Rockingham County, North Carolina
State Highway and Public Works Commission map illustrates a single structure east of the creek and no pond
feature (fig. 6). The roadway has not yet been reconfigured to the south and a small manufacturing plant appears
to be located west of the creek on the northern side of the road. In all subsequent mapping, no structures, ponds,
or other evidence of a mill could be located in the project vicinity. Mapping information intimates that a mill was
operating in the project area between the years 1910 and 1930, but probably earlier.
"NO NAT/ONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCNAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
foria fa• Miuor Ti�nnsportn(ion Projects as Q��aliJied rn tGe 2007 Progranunntic Agreenrent.
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Figure 5: 1926 Rockingham County Soil Survey Map.
Local knowledge of the resource is limited but suggests that a mill was operational within the project location
preceding the Civil War. During the conflict, the mill was said to double as a coffin manufacturer. This information
could not be confirmed by the limited archival research conducted for the project. However, in consultation with
an architectural historian, the remaining laid-stone foundations and iron flume appear to represent similarly
documented Piedmont mill resources that typically embrace a later nineteenth century (1880 —1899) genesis. A
search of the "Huffines" family history in Rockingham County demonstrated a very limited presence within the
county. Apparently, only two "Huffines" families were living in Rockingham during the mid-nineteenth century
(1840s —1860s), both transplants from Greensboro to the south. The 1890 Branson's NC Business Directory lists JD
Huffines — millinery and the 1896 version lists JD Huffines — dry goods — Reidsville, and John Huffines — millinery. A
cross-check of the "Huffines" name in the Rockingham County Heritage Book returned practically no mention of
the family. This may suggest that the Rockingham "Huffines" were not considered to be a large and prominent
family or may simply reflect an absence of "Huffines" family members living in this area today, who would have
participated in the books production in the early 1980s.
Figure 6: 1938 Rockingham County, North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission Map
The only reference in the Heritage book refers to a Griffen — Smothers/Smathers — Huffines Mill on Jacob Creek.
Jacob Creek trends west to east a short distance north of the project area; Huffines Mill Creek empties into this
creek. A possibility therefore exists that both creek and tributary were once referred to as Jacob Creek. Additionally,
the 1890 eranson's NC eusiness Directory lists a W.L. Griffen and Smathers as operators of a flour mill in Wentworth
township. Taken together, this data appears to connect the Griffen — Smathers flour mill with a Huffines millinery
"NO NAT/ONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCNAEOLOGICAL SlTES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
Jor�u jor Mi�tor Ti•mtsporlaliat P�•ojects ns QualiJied in die 2007 Progrnn�nmtic Agreemeut.
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interest in the Wentworth — Jacob Creek vicinity at least twenty years prior to the 1910 map displaying a possible
mill structure in the project area. Obvious�y, it is unknown if 31RK209** is the Griffen — Smathers — Huffines Mill
site. Though beyond the scope of the current investigation, information (land deeds, tract maps, & other
documents) contained at the Rockingham County Courthouse could potentially shed light on this issue.
Following archaeological evaluation of the Bridge 33 APE in Rockingham County, North Carolina, no further
archaeological input or work is recommended for the proposed project. One site (31RK209**) was documented by
the investigation. The resource consists of above-ground structural remains and a landscape feature (race). It
embodies a conventional historic site-type commonly documented within the Piedmont of North Carolina.
Although 31RK209** retains some minor level of intactness and preservation, the overall integrity of the site is
lacking. It is considered NOT ELIGIBLE for NRHP inclusion. Additional investigation of 31RK209** and of the APE is
unlikely to recover significant data. A finding of "no historic properties affected" is considered appropriate for the
project. If feasible, avoidance of the mill remains and race feature is recommended.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: � Map(s) �'Previous Survey Info
Other:
Signed:
�Photos ❑Correspondence
'Dl
NCDOT ARCHA�OLOGIST
Date
"NO NATIONAL REG/STER EL/G/BLE OR L/STED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT OR AFFECTED
fm�m fa� Miimr Ti�anspa tnfion Projects ns Qualrfied ii: the 2007 Progrmm�mtic Agreenie�:t.
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