Loading map...

1946 Map of Fort Payne

Name: 1946 Topographic Map of Fort Payne
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Fort Payne sits within the valley defined by the dramatic rise of Lookout Mountain to the east and Sand Mountain to the west. This 1946 Tennessee Valley Authority survey, updated with 1970 aerial photography, captures the city during a mid-century period of growth, showing the Fort Payne City Boundary and the concentration of industry and infrastructure along the Southern Railroad. Local landmarks like the Golf Course, Manitou Cave, and the Drive-In Theater reflect the era's social and recreational landscape.

The surrounding DeKalb County countryside is dotted with family-named cemeteries and rural institutions, including Lankford Cem, Fisher Sch, and the Log Cabin Chapel. To the northeast, the terrain shifts into the protected wilderness of De Soto State Park, while the Little River Canyon begins to carve its path at the southern edge of the sheet. Aviation history is noted by both Isbell Airfield and Jennings Airpark, indicating the region's early connection to regional air travel.