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1950 Map of Cairo

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Cairo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Tennessee River and Elk River dominate this portion of northern Alabama, where the creation of the Wheeler Reservoir fundamentally altered the riverine landscape. Rising waters gathered around prominent limestone features such as Buzzard Roost Bluff and Ivy Bluff, creating a complex shoreline that replaced older riverbanks. The map documents a rural transition as the region adjusted to the reservoir, with recreation areas like the Stewart Ferry Cabin Site Area appearing alongside long-established farming communities.

Local genealogy is well-preserved through numerous family-named landmarks, including the Bedingfield Cemetery, Yarbrough Cemetery, and Brooks Cemetery. Small inland settlements such as Cairo, Lentzville, and Coxey serve as hubs for a network of country churches and schools, such as Temperance Oak Church and the Clement School. The presence of Wheeler Reservoir Boundary markers and evolving road networks, including a developing Highway 4 Lane, illustrates the mid-century modernization of Limestone and Lauderdale counties.