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1959 Map of Helena

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Helena
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Helena and Pelham serve as the primary hubs in this mid-century portrait of Shelby and Jefferson counties, where industrial extraction meets the early suburban growth of the Cahaba River Estates. The landscape is dominated by a series of parallel ridges, including Shades Mountain and Double Oak Mountain, which channel the Cahaba River and its many tributaries. The area's economic foundations are clearly visible through the numerous strip mines, quarries, and gravel pits that dot the valleys, particularly around Acton and Keystone.

Transportation networks, including the Louisville and Nashville RR and U.S. Highway 31, provide the structural spine for these settlements. Local history is preserved in the location of the Cumberland Cem, Mars Hill Ch, and the rugged eastern expanse of Oak Mountain State Park, featuring Peavine Falls. The map also captures specialized land uses of the era, from the Helena Landing Strip to the extensive Golf Course near the northern boundary.