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1959 Map of Chelsea

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Chelsea
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Double Oak Mountain and the parallel ridges of Cahaba Ridge define the landscape of this late-1950s survey of Shelby County. The terrain is marked by a series of narrow gaps and water gaps, most notably Big Narrows and The Narrows, which serve as natural corridors for the Florida Atlantic and Coast Line railroad. Rural life is anchored by small settlements and crossroads communities like Simmsville, Pleasant Valley, and South Saginaw, each supported by local institutions such as Simmsville Chapel and New Hope Sch.

A significant portion of the northwest is occupied by Oak Mountain State Park, featuring Oak Mountain Lake and Shackleford Gap. The map details a complex drainage system feeding into Yellowleaf Creek, with numerous small reservoirs including Lenora Lake and Lake Byram. These water bodies and the adjacent Central of Georgia rail line illustrate the mid-century intersection of recreation, transport, and small-town Alabama life.