1969 Map of Crane Hill

About this map

The deep, branching inlets of Lewis Smith Lake dominate the landscape of Cullman and Winston counties in the late 1960s, winding through the timbered ridges of the William B Bankhead National Forest. This era shows a community defined by its proximity to the water, where the rugged topography of Pigeon Roost Ridge and Davis Ridge separates the creek valleys that feed the reservoir. Local life centers on rural crossroads and small farming settlements like Crane Hill and Wheat. Genealogy researchers can find numerous country congregations, including Bethany Ch and Harmony Ch, alongside the Dowling Jr High Sch. The map also captures the varied shoreline features such as Muscadine Point and Miller Bottom, illustrating the transition of these valleys from river-bottom lands to a major recreational and hydroelectric resource.