1891 Map of Ashland

About this map

The ridge-and-valley landscape of east-central Alabama is defined here by the parallel rises of the Talladega Mts. and Shinbone Ridge. In the final decade of the 19th century, this area of Clay and Tallapoosa counties was characterized by an economy dependent on the Tallapoosa River and its tributaries, with numerous crossings such as Louina Ferry and Denney Ferry providing essential transit before the era of modern bridges. The Anniston and Atlantic R. R. skirts the northwestern corner near Ironaton, while the interior remains a network of wagon roads connecting the county seat at Ashland with outlying settlements like Lineville, Enitachopco, and Mellow Valley. Many labels preserve the names of early industry and social centers, including Hillabee Mill, Forester Chapel, and the distinctively named Graphite and Idaho mining or prospecting locales.