1975 Map of Cox Gap

About this map

Ashville lies within a landscape of striking linear ridges and valleys in this mid-1970s orthophotoquad. Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, this imagery-based map provides a raw view of land use and forest cover in St. Clair County. The stark contrast between the wooded slopes and the cleared agricultural plots reveals the traditional rural development patterns of the region. A prominent Creek and its various tributaries cut through the valley floors, dictating the placement of early homesteads and road networks visible in the aerial photography. This specific type of survey, derived from December 1975 flights, offers a precise look at the terrain before modern suburbanization, emphasizing the natural topography that shaped this part of Alabama.