1951 Map of Courtland

About this map

Courtland and the surrounding Lawrence County landscape are defined by the transition from river-bottom agriculture to the industrial and military developments of the mid-20th century. The Wheeler Reservoir dominates the northern boundary, its waters pooled behind the Wheeler Reservation Boundary along Spring Creek. Further south, the footprint of the Courtland Air Base occupies a significant portion of the terrain, complete with its filtration plant, substation, and a nearby firing range. These modern installations contrast with the deep-rooted rural character of the area, evidenced by numerous family and community landmarks such as Sherrod Quarters and the Little Sam School. The Southern railroad and the Joe Wheeler Highway provide the primary east-west corridor through this region, where the land begins to rise toward the wooded slopes of Courtland Mountain and Dedicar Mtn.