1959 Map of Cahaba Heights

About this map

Cahaba River and Little Cahaba River dominate this landscape, winding through a series of prominent ridges including Mountain Ridge, Pine Ridge, and Little Oak Mountain. The 1959 survey, with revisions through the late 1970s, captures a transition as residential development in Cahaba Heights and Mountain Brook begins to expand toward the river's edge. This growth is evidenced by the purple-tinted urban extensions near Cahaba Heights Sch and Wooten Chapel. Beyond the emerging suburbs, the terrain remains defined by heavy industry and conservation. Numerous strip mines and coal mines are scattered along Rocky Ridge and Flat Ridge, illustrating the region's extractive economy. To the south, the protected lands of Oak Mountain State Park provide a stark contrast to the mining activity, preserving the natural drainage of Oak Mountain Lake.