City Preparing for Treasure Hunt to Document Historic Resources

Armed with cameras and clip boards, soon a team of history-hunters will be on the streets of Norcross. They will be searching for and identifying interesting architectural treasures from turn of century to the 1950's, bringing the past to life.

The Terracon Company's proposal received the recommendation to lead the project from a field of 18 applicants reviewed by the city's Community Development Department and the historic preservation board, with city council making the final selection.

"I am very excited to undertake this historic resource survey,"said Jennifer Peterson, Community Development Director for the City of Norcross. "This survey will serve as the guiding document for many historic preservation efforts in Norcross for years to come." Ms. Peterson stated she was very happy with the response received to the bid request, and believes the commission has recommended the most qualified and professional company for the task.

Terracon is a nationally known firm specializing in cultural resource management and other disciplines. Their investigations have spanned the Southeastern United States.

The company plans to coordinate a series of community meetings to answer questions about the survey, and seek input from residents.

Potentially, the research will provide survey historians with information on cultural resources that might possess historical significance in areas other than architecture—including Civil War related resources and resources significant to African American history. Even cemeteries within the city will be examined for their history.

The project's preservation historians will construct a developmental history, including collecting oral histories' to help meld the city's architectural, commercial, industrial, and agricultural development with urban development, according to the proposal.

The information gathered will be used in a variety of ways, including recommending a local district for preservation, updating the 1980 National Registry listing, as well as promoting tourism and cultural events. Each resource will receive a professional evaluation of condition and whether or not it contributes to the historic district.

Some of the information such as maps and oral histories could become a basis for starting a museum.

A data base of text, pictures, and maps will be created courtesy of Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources GIS (NAHRGIS) network, a state-wide data base maintained by the Department of Natural Resources. Residents and visitors will have easy access to the data base.

More information about the NHRGIS database can be found at https://www.itos.uga.edu/nahrgis