Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed US Highway 78 Improvement Project

"In July–August 2006, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted an intensive cultural
resources survey of the proposed US Highway 78 Improvement Project in Dorchester County,
South Carolina. This work was conducted through Davis & Floyd, Inc., for the Dorchester
County Sales Tax Authority in advance of road improvement activities along this portion of
US Highway 78.
The project corridor is approximately 39.6 kilometers (24.6 miles) long. The proposed
project is located along existing US Highway 78 beginning in northeast Summerville at
secondary road S-65 (West Richardson Avenue) and continuing northwest along the existing
alignment to secondary road S-167 (Sugarhill Road) in St. George.
The architectural survey universe extends 90 meters (300 feet) on either side of the
existing US Highway 78 (as well as all other intersecting roads requiring improvements) and is
180 meters (600 feet) wide along its entire length. The archaeological survey universe (edge of
proposed new right-of-way [ROW]) varies from 16.8 to 22.9 meters (55 to 75 feet) to each side
of the proposed highway centerlines. Investigators investigated the area between the existing
ROW and the proposed new ROW on either side of the proposed highway centerlines.
We identified 16 new historic architectural resources (Resources 1154–1169) within the
architectural survey universe that are possibly over 50 years of age. The SHPO determined that
Resource 1156 is eligible for the NRHP, but the US Highway 78 Improvement Project will not
affect the resource. The remaining architectural resources are not eligible for the NRHP. No
further management consideration of these resources is warranted.
The Southern Railroad ROW along the south side of US Highway 78 follows the route of
the former Charleston to Hamburg/Augusta Railroad (built in 1832–1833). Continuing use of
the rail line and subsequent development of the region has compromised the historic integrity of
this resource. We recommend this segment of the former rail route not eligible for the NRHP.
The continuing use of the rail line within the existing railroad ROW precludes any acquisition of
these lands for the proposed improvements.
We identified five archaeological sites (38DR343, 38DR344, 38DR345, 38DR346, and
38DR347) and five isolated finds (Isolates 1–5) within the archaeological survey universe. We
recommend archaeological sites 38DR343–38DR346 and Isolates 1–5 not eligible for the NRHP.
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No further management consideration of these resources is warranted. We recommend site
38DR347 potentially eligible for the NRHP. Site 38DR347 is located along US Highway 78
where the highway crosses the western end of Four Holes Swamp. A high bluff is located on the
western bank of the swamp. In order to preserve the site and to reduce the possibility of erosion,
Dorchester County will minimize impact to the bluff overlooking Four Holes Swamp. The
existing ROW in the area of site 38DR347 is 11.4 meters (37.5 feet) to each side of the highway
centerline. The project in the area of site 38DR347 will only involve 1.22-meter (four-foot)
shoulder paving and grass shoulder reconstruction of the existing roadway for safety reasons.
There will not be any new ROW acquired in the area of site 38DR347. The bluff and slope on
the southern side of the bridge, immediately adjacent to Four Holes Swamp, will not be disturbed
by this construction. Therefore, proposed improvements to US Highway 78 will have no adverse
effect on site 38DR347. Construction of the US Highway 78 Improvement Project as currently
designed will not adversely affect any historic properties or potential historic properties. Further
management of the proposed US Highway 78 Improvement Project as currently designed with
regard to cultural resources is not warranted."