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1959 Map of Birmingham North

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Birmingham North
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Industrial expansion and urban growth define the landscape of northern Birmingham at the close of the 1950s. The dense rail network of the Southern Railway, Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and Illinois Central Railroad converges near the Birmingham Terminal, supporting a heavy industrial core of strip mines, brickkilns, and numerous quarries. North of the city center, residential suburbs like Tarrant City and Fultondale are shown in detail, surrounded by family-named landmarks such as Walker Chapel and Frances Heights.

The transition from the urban grid of North Birmingham to the more rural slopes of Lassiter Mountain and Sand Mountain highlights the region's diverse topography. Genealogists can locate several burial sites, including the prominent Oak Hill Cemetery and the smaller Sheriff Cem, alongside local institutions like Hudson Sch and the National Guard Air Evacuation Hospital. This survey documents a critical period of infrastructure development, including the sprawling East Thomas Yards and the early footprint of the Birmingham Municipal Airport.