Agenda - 12-07-2009 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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American community dating back at least 150 years, and had its origins as a primarily agricultural community that was begun by former enslaved African- Americans on lands originally owned by former slave owners. A number of African- American owned farms were located in the area beginning in the late 1800s, including those of the Hogan, Nunn, and Caldwell families, and the community also contained a school and churches (Pearce 2009). As with any community, the precise boundaries of the Rogers - Eubanks community are subject to varied interpretations. The proposed project area lies well north of the "Rogers Road Historic Neighborhood Boundary Line as Suggested by the Small Area Task Force" as depicted by Pearce (2009:181), however (although it should be noted that that the nearby Nunn House is also located outside the boundaries as shown). The available data do not suggest that any structures associated with the Rogers - Eubanks community were formerly located on the property. Field Reconnaissance TRC conducted a limited field reconnaissance of the project tract on September 14, 2009. The tract is located north of the current Orange County Solid Waste facility and is moderately wooded (Figure 6). TRC staff walked the entire parcel searching for any evidence of past cultural activity, including locating structural remains, searching soils in treefalls and eroded areas for archaeological artifacts, and searching for any potential gravesites or former structure locations. The project tract contains a mixture of young pine and hardwood trees and secondary vegetation, consistent with its status as former agricultural fields. No evidence of a water source was identified, although the 1978 USGS map shows an intermittent stream just to the southwest of the property. No evidence of prehistoric artifacts or archaeological sites was observed, although no subsurface testing was conducted. The structural remains of the ca. 1980 Francis Chan house were identified in the northeastern part of the project tract. The remains of two sets of large masonry retaining walls and the masonry walls of the main structure were identified, as were piles of building debris (Figures 7 and 8). All observed structural elements are modern in age, and the remains clearly have no historical significance. A second structure is located approximately 160 in (525 ft) south of the Francis Chan house. This building appears to have been moved onto the property some time between ca. 1972 and 1993 based on aerial photographs and currently sits on modem concrete block piers. The structure is a one -story frame house with clapboard siding (attached with machine cut nails), and likely dates to the late 19th to early 20th century. A collapsed porch is present on the northern end (Figures 9 and 10), and the main structure is in poor condition. The main door faces to the north, while a second entry door is on the east side leading into the kitchen. The interior contains electrical fixtures and some fiirnishings, as well as piles of rotting drywall, insulation, and plaster. Electrical lines on the western side of the house have been disconnected and no evidence exists of the building having had electrical service at this site. A large stack of concrete blocks sits to the north of the building near the collapsed porch, and were most likely to be used to construct a foundation for the building. Although a formal structural evaluation was not conducted, due to poor condition and the fact that it has been moved to this site, this building is almost certainly ineligible for the NRHP. CONCLUSIONS The literature search has identified no previously recorded archaeological sites, historic structures, or cemeteries on or adjacent to the 10 -acre tract. Although the NRHP- listed Alexander Hogan Plantation Site (31OR296) is situated within a mile of the property, neither it nor any other known archaeological sites will be impacted by the project. The structural remains on the property are considered ineligible for