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1953 Map of Bridgehead

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Bridgehead
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Civil War Trenches and the historic site of Blakeley dominate the northeastern reaches of this survey, where the bluffs of Shay Ridge overlook the complex delta of the Tensaw River and Apalachee River. The map captures a landscape defined by its strategic military geography, from the earthworks of Fort McDermott to the riverfront at Spanish Fort. The transport network centers on the crossing of Mobile Bay via the Cochran Bridge and the Old Spanish Trail, connecting the marshy islands of the delta to the rising settlements on the eastern shore.

Local development is visible in small communities like Bridgehead, Park City, and The Village, while the labyrinthine waterways of Big Bateau Bay and D'Olive Bay illustrate the area's natural isolation. Genealogists and local historians can find specific landmarks such as the Blakeley Cem, Spanish Fort Ch, and landings like Buzbee Landing, which speak to the area's long history as a point of transit and defense along the Alabama coast.