Cultural Resources Assessment
Within the Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Study Area, there are 15 cultural resources listed in the state files. These include 11 architectural resources and 3 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include 2 single dwellings, a railroad depot, a theater, 3 cemeteries, a commercial building, a military site, and 2 industrial buildings. The architectural resources range in date from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries, with several of the sites dating from the last quarter of the eighteenth century and the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The archaeological sites range in date from the Early Archaic to the Historic periods. In addition to the sites in the state files, there are two additional historic sites of which Duke Power staff are aware that Duke Power considers to be potential cultural resources. They are the Kingsbury cemetery and the Armory.
One of the archeological sites span from the Early Archaic through the Late Archaic periods. One site is associated with the Middle Archaic period. The third site is from the historic period.
The Rocky Mount Lock-keeper’s House site is the only recorded archaeological site listed in the National Register. It is a Lock-keeper’s house constructed in the 1840s, but it may have been moved from its original location.
Three architectural resources have been listed in the National Register. They are the Great Falls Depot, the Republic Theater, and the Republic Cotton Mill Bank & Store Building.
The information on both the archaeological and architectural sites from the state files is being used in preparation of the predictive model to assign the shoreline on Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake either a High, Medium, Low, or No probability for the occurrence of cultural resources. Prior to the completion of the model non-exempt activities such as excavation projects, commercial marina development, and certain conveyance projects will be provided to the appropriate SHPO for review before construction or excavation activity begins within the project boundary. To ensure the potential impact to cultural resources is properly evaluated after completion of the predictive model, Lake Management will review the predictive model for all non-exempt activities. Applicants for all non-exempt lake use permitting activities in medium and high probability areas will be required to consult with the appropriate SHPO regarding their proposal.
