Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lake Norman Study Area, there are 455 previously recorded cultural resources including 34 architectural resources and 421 archaeological sites. The architectural resources include 23 single dwellings, a church with a cemetery, 2 other cemeteries, 2 agricultural complexes, a mill, a bridge, a commercial building, a mill village, a school, and a commercial district. The architectural resources date from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, although most of the resources date to the nineteenth century. The archeological sites range in date from the Early Archaic through the Historic cultural periods.

Approximately one-third of the archaeological sites are not associated with a specific cultural period. The majority of the sites have components that date to the Woodland period, and many contain ceramic and lithic artifacts. Only lithic artifacts were recovered at the majority of the other sites. There are 41 sites for which we do not have enough data to determine their specific functions. The integrity of the sites is varied. More than half of the sites are underwater.

None of the archaeological sites are listed in the National Register.

Twenty of the architectural resources are listed in the National Register. The single dwellings listed are the Perkins House, the Cornelius House, the Falls-Hobbs House, and the Neill-Turner-Lester House. The other listed resource is the Catawba Historic District.

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 Lake Norman 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.