Archaeological Survey of the Old Federal Road in Alabama

Chapter 1Project Goals and MethodsIntroductionSupport for this archaeological survey of the Old Federal Road was provided in 2009 by a twoyearTransportation Enhancement grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation, with fundingderived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Our project met at least two criteria for aTransportation Enhancement Grant:• Activity No. 10, Archaeological Planning and Research, in this case involved researching theroute of the Old Federal Road across Alabama, carrying out field surveys to find and documentexisting segments of the old road and associated standing structures and archaeological sites, andproducing an interpretative report on archival and field findings.• Activity No. 4, Historic Highway Programs, involved providing communities, counties, and theState of Alabama with information via our report and website on the remains of the Old FederalRoad so they may develop the historic character of existing highways that follow or parallel theOld Federal Road, and to make the travel experience educational and attract tourists to localroads near or on the Old Federal Road.The Old Federal Road was the first modern transportation route across the southern half of thearea that would become the state of Alabama (Figure 1-1). This was the precursor to all later roads andmodern highways in the state. Interstate 65 roughly parallels the route of the Old Federal Road, andseveral state and county roads (for instance, Conecuh County Road 5) follow its precise path in places.Today’s travelers can follow the approximate route of the Old Federal Road by driving on secondaryroads through ten counties of central and south Alabama (Baldwin, Butler, Conecuh, Escambia, Lowndes,Macon, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, and Russell counties). Despite sustained interest in the locationand history of this historic road, it remains unmarked along much of its route, and the road’s considerabletourism potential remains unrealized. As a precursor to commemorating the roads two hundredthanniversary and a major effort to raise awareness of the Old Federal Road in Alabama, an archaeologicalsurvey of its entire length was accomplished in 2009-2011. The ultimate goal was to produce detaileddocumentation of the Old Federal Road’s actual path on the ground and its associated historical featuresthat can be used by planners to mark and interpret the route for historically-motivated tourists and foreducators intent on sparking the interests of students in Alabama’s fascinating early history.1