1959 Map of Greenwood

About this map

Red Mountain and Shades Mountain dominate the topography of this Jefferson and Shelby County area, creating a series of parallel valleys where industry and agriculture meet. In the late 1950s, the landscape was a complex network of resource extraction and rail transport, evidenced by the numerous mines, a Chert Pit, and a Gravel Pit interspersed with residential developments like Phillips Estates and Pine Crest. The Southern Railway, Atlantic Coast Line, and Louisville and Nashville railroads served as the primary conduits for local coal and iron resources, connecting communities such as Raimund and Coalmont. Local social life centered around rural anchors like Lacey's Chapel, Hopewell Ch, and Shades Valley Sch, while landmarks such as the Bessemer Airport and a nearby Drive-in Theater point toward the era's post-war suburban modernization.