1956 Map of Columbia

About this map

Duck River and Buffalo River drainage basins define the central character of this Middle Tennessee survey, which captures the region during a period of significant hydroelectric and military development. Regional centers like Columbia and Murfreesboro are connected by a mature network of railroads, including the Louisville & Nashville RR and the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Ry. The landscape is marked by the presence of large federal and state installations, from the Arnold Engineering Development Center near Tullahoma to the Smyrna Air Force Base. To the west, the Tennessee River forms Kentucky Lake, while inland reservoirs like Tims Ford Lake and Normandy Lake illustrate the mid-century transformation of the local waterways. Preservation of the region's diverse history is evident at the Stone River National Battlefield and various state parks like Old Stone Fort State Park.