HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181666 Ver 1_Watauga 278 Archaeology No Survey form_20181210Projecl Ti•ackiiig No. (lnterna! Use)
; 10-03-0167
NO SURVEY REQUIRED FORM
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No:
WBS No:
F.A. No
: �Illll
42548.1.1
BRZ-1540(5)
Federal (USACE) Permit Required?
County:
Document:
Watauga
CE/PCE
Funding: ❑ State � Federal
� Yes ❑ No Permit Type: Nationwide
Project Description: Replace Bridge No. 278 on S.R. 1540 over Middle Fork Creek. Project includes the
re-alignment of the intersections of SR. 1540, U.S. 321 c�nd S.R. 1531. No design plans are availnble.
Area of Potential Effects (A.P.E.) is a large study carea that consists qf a 60-meter (200-foot) wide
corridor along S.R. 1540.from U.S. 321 west.for 213 meters (700.feet), and along S.R. 1531.from U.S.
321 ec�st, for 152 meters (500, feet).
SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
Review consisted of background research and a visual reconnaissance of the study area. There are no
previously recorded archaeological sites in the study area, it has not been reviewed by the State Historic
Preservation Office (HPO), and it has not been previously surveyed for archaeological sites. Historic
maps (1902 topographic map, 1920 Post Office map, 1928 soil map, 1942 topographic map) and a 1944
aerial photograph show U.S. 321 and S.R. 1540 have existed since 1902, and S.R. 1531 has existed since
1920. There have been several structures on the east side of U.S. 321 since 1920. Visual examination of
the A.P.E. identified landforms with low probability for prehistoric archaeological sites. All have been
disturbed by the construction of the Tweetsie Railroad parking lot and the improvements to U.S. 321.
Brief Explanation of why the available information provides c� reliable bczsis, for reasonably pYedicting
that there are no unidentified historic properties in the APE:
The project will not impact any previously recorded sites eligible for the National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP). Historic maps show structures in the vicinity since 1920, but the A.P.E. has little
potential for archaeological remains due to disturbance. See attached memo with maps, photos and
descriptions.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: � Map(s) ❑ Previous Survey Info � Photos
❑ Photocopy of County Survey Notes
FINDING BY NCDOT CULTURAL RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL
NO SURVEY REQUIRED
� 1 ��J `,S' n.-� , � �'�i
NCDOT Cultural Resources Specialist
�Correspondence
�%31 �-d � n
Date
"No S�a•veV Reqriire�( "J'a�m %r Minor Trarisportatiat Projects as Qaali/ied iir tlie 10117 Programnmtic �igreemen[.
NCDOT Arcliaeology & Hista•ic Arcl�itecvu•e Groiips
Archaeological Reconnaissance: B-5177 (Watauga)
Programmatic Agreement # 10-03-0167
Caleb Smith (6/3/2010)
Introduction
On April 21, 2010, NCDOT archaeologists Matt Wilkerson and Caleb Smith conducted an
archaeological reconnaissance for the replacement of Bridge Number 278 on S.R. 1540 (Tweetsie
Railroad Lane) over Middle Fork Creek in Watauga County (Figures 1-2). The bridge replacement
also includes the realignment of the intersection of U.S. 321, S.R. 1540 and S.R. 1531 (Middle Fork
Road). The reconnaissance consisted of background research and a visual examination of the
project area. No design plans are available for the project, so the Area of Potential Effects (A.P.E.)
consists of a large "study area." The study area includes a 60-meter (200-foot) wide corridor that
extends along S.R. 1540 from U.S. 321 west for 213 meters (700 feet), and along S.R. 1531 from U.S.
321 east for 152 meters (500 feet) (Figure 3).
Background Research
Background research consisted of a review of previously recorded archaeological sites and
previously conducted archaeological projects in the vicinity, and examination of historic maps.
There are no previously recorded sites within the study area and it has not been previously
surveyed for archaeological sites.
B-5177 (Watauga)
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Figure 3: Aerial photograph of the study area.
2
B-5177 (Watauga)
Maps from 1902, 1920, 1928 and 1942, and a 1944 aerial photograph show that some versions of
U.S. 321 and S.R. 1540 have existed since as early as 1902 (Figures 4-7). S.R. 1531 is not shown on
the 1902 map but is shown on the 1920 map. The 1920, 1928 and 1942 maps and the 1944 aerial
photo show the intersection of S.R. 1540 and U.S. 321 was located north of its present location, on
the north side of the point where Middle Fork Creek currently flows under U.S. 321. The 1920 map
shows a school, a church and two homes on the east side of U.S. 321, and labels one of the
structures "Bryson." The 1928 map shows the same structures, and labels the church "Middle Fork
Church." The 1942 map shows three structures along the east side of U.S. 321 at its intersection
with S.R. 1351, and none along the west side of U.S. 321 and S.R. 1540. The map labels the stream
that feeds Middle Fork Creek from the west "Greer Branch" and the one that feeds it from the east
"Elrod Branch." The 1944 aerial photograph shows a structure located in the narrow space
between U.S. 321 and Middle Fork Creek near the S.R. 1351 intersection.
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Figure 4: Map of the project area in 1902 (USGS 1902 Cranberry, N.C.-Tenn.
1:125,000-scale topographic map).
Visual Examination
This project includes the possible realignments of either S.R. 1540 or S.R. 1531 to intersect with U.S.
321. Although no design plans are available the most likely scenario is that S.R. 1540 would be
moved north to line up with the existing intersection of S.R. 1531 and U.S. 321. S.R. 1531 is
currently located in a narrow creek (Elrod Branch) valley and moving it to the south to meet the
existing S.R. 1540/U.S. 321 intersection would require cutting into the south wall of that valley.
There is little to prohibit moving S.R. 1540 north because the area is a flat parking lot that would be
easy to re-arrange. The large "study area" allows for either scenario.
3
B-5177 (Watauga)
B-5177 (Watauga)
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topographic map).
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Figure 8: Aerial photograph of the project area in 1944 (1958 Watauga County soil survey).
5
B-5177 (Watauga)
Visual examination of the study area identified landforms and conditions with a low potential for
prehistoric archaeological sites. All of the area along the west bank of Middle Fork Creek has been
disturbed by the construction of the parking lot for the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park
(Figures 9-10). The landform may have once had some potential since it is flat land next to a
stream, but it has been graded and paved. The construction of U.S. 321, S.R. 1540 and the parking
lot has altered the natural topography of this area. For instance, the part of Middle Fork Creek
from the S.R. 1540 bridge north appears to have been moved into a channel along the west side of
U.S. 321. It was probably put there when U.S. 321 was last improved in order to protect the road
from flooding. Before that it may have meandered throughout the flat land that is now the
parking lot. Also, the small creek that flows into Middle Fork Creek north of the S.R. 1540 bridge
(Greer Branch) looks like it is in an artificial channel. The creek currently runs along the west and
north edge of the parking lot and joins Middle Fork Creek at the point where it flows under U.S.
321 (approximately 152 meters [500 feet] north of the S.R. 1540 bridge). The historic maps
described above indicate it used to meander through the flat land that is now the parking lot. It
was probably moved north to accommodate the design of the parking lot.
S.R. 1540 brid�e
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Figure 9: North view of the southwest quadrant.
! '- I U.S. 321
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There is a narrow strip of creek bank along the east side of Middle Fork Creek, between it and U.S.
321. It has little archaeological potential because it probably consists of fill for the road bed and
creek bank. The area along the east side of U.S. 321 to the south of the intersection with S.R. 1531
consists of a narrow strip of roadside and then a steep slope up (Figure 11).
B-5177 (Watauga)
U.S. 321
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Figure 10: South view of the northwest quadrant.
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Figure 11: Aerial photograph showing the topography of
the project area (courtesy of the Watauga County
Geographic Information Systems website).
��...
7
B-5177 (Watauga)
The narrow roadside has probably been disturbed by improvements to U.S. 321 and maintenance
of the right of way. The study area on the east side of U.S. 321 north of the intersection consists of
a narrow strip of land along the east side of U.S. 321 and the north side of S.R. 1531. The area at
the intersection is the front yard of a home that appears to be older than 50 years of age. (This
project did not attempt to record or evaluate standing structures.) The landform has a moderate to
high potential for archaeological sites since it is flat land near Middle Fork Creek and Elrod
Branch, but has probably been disturbed by yard landscaping and maintenance of U.S. 321 and
S.R. 1531. Historic maps and aerial photograph show there have been several structures near the
intersection since as early as 1920. The 1920 map shows two structures in the northeast quadrant,
and the 1942 map shows two structures in the northeast quadrant and one in the southeast
quadrant. It is probable that any structural remains have been damaged or destroyed by the past
improvements to U.S. 321.
Conclusion
The proposed replacement of Bridge Number 278 on S.R. 1540 over Middle Fork Creek and the re-
alignment of the intersections of S.R. 1540, U.S. 321 and S.R. 1531 have little potential to impact any
archaeological sites. The area has been disturbed by the development of the Tweetsie Railroad
parking lot, improvements to U.S. 321, and the artificial channelization of Middle Fork Creek.
Therefore no archaeological survey is recommended for the project.
References Cited
Jurney, R.C.
1958 Soil Survey of Watauga County, North Carolina. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil
conservation Service, Washington, D.C.
United States Department of Agriculture
1928 Soil Map, Watauga County, North Carolina
of Chemistry and Soils, Washington, D.C.
United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau
United States Geological Survey
1902 Cranberry, N.C.-Tenn. 1:125,000-scale topographic map.
1942 Blowing Rock, N.C. 1:62,500-scale topographic map.
1978 Boone, N.C. 1:24,000-scale topographic map.
1985 Boone, N.C.-Tenn. 1:100,000-scale topographic map.
United States Post Office Department
1920 Rural Delivery Routes, Watauga County, North Carolina. United States Post Office
Department, Washington, D.C.