Cultural Resources Survey of the Pearl River in the Vicinity of Walkiah Bluff, Mississippi and Louisiana

The results of cultural resources investigations along the Pearl River near Walkiah Bluff. Mississippi, are presented. These investigations, part of which were in the state of Louisiana and part in Mississippi, were undertaken by the Vicksburg District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers relative to the proposed construction of several water control structures at this location. The objective of the investigation was to identify and evaluate cultural properties that may be effected by the proposed construction, in particular, watercraft or watercraft-related facilities. The investigations involved pedestrian survey, magnetometer survey and field recording of discovered cultural properties. Approximately 85 acres were encompassed in the area surveyed, including the pedestrian examinations and the riverine magnetometer survey. The study located the remains of 6 cultural properties, some of which are in Mississippi and some of which are in Louisiana. Five of the properties are watercraft and one is a crib of sawn logs. The two cultural properties within the borders of Louisiana are a wooden work barge (designated the Walkiah Bluff Work Barge, 16ST183) and a wooden skiff (designated the Walkiah Bluff Skiff, 16ST184). Most of these objects appear to date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and are likely to be related to the timber industry. In light of their age and their association with a regionally important historic industry, these properties are considered potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Recommendations for their future treatment are provided.