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1959 Map of Cahaba Heights

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Cahaba Heights
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Cahaba Valley provides a sharp contrast between the burgeoning residential developments of Cahaba Heights and the rugged, industrial corridors of the Cahaba River. By the late 1950s, the landscape reflected a complex history of resource extraction, with numerous Strip Mine operations scattered across Pine Ridge and near the banks of the Little Cahaba River. These mining activities sit alongside established community landmarks like the Cahaba Heights School and several local congregations, including Wooten Chapel and Liberty Church.

The eastern portion of the map is dominated by the reservoir of Lake Purdy, featuring named landmarks like Goat Island and Little Island. To the south, the preservation of the landscape is evident in the northern reaches of Oak Mountain State Park, where the terrain rises toward Double Oak Mountain. This period shows the early influence of U.S. 280 as a primary artery, connecting rural Shelby County settlements like Acton and Highland to the growing suburbs of Jefferson County.