1959 Map of Birmingham North

About this map

Industrial corridors and dense urban expansions define this mid-century portrait of Birmingham and its northern suburbs. The landscape is heavily marked by the intersection of major rail lines, including the Southern Railway, Illinois Central, and the Seaboard Coast Line, which serve the various quarries and strip mines scattered throughout Opossum Valley and Ensley Valley. Educational and civic life are anchored by institutions like Birmingham Southern College and Glenn Vocational High Sch, while the city’s sports history is represented by Rickwood Field. In the northern sections, residential growth reaches into Fultondale and Tarrant City, with purple overlays indicating significant urban development through 1970. Notable landmarks such as St. Pauls Cathedral, Oak Hill Cemetery, and Walker Chapel provide essential touchpoints for researchers tracing the religious and genealogical history of Jefferson County.