1948 Map of Hollytree

About this map

The rugged landscape of the Alabama Cumberlands is on full display in this 1948 field survey, where the border of Madison and Jackson Counties traverses the high ridges of Bice Mountain and Sharp Mountain. The settlement of Hollytree sits at the foot of Bingham Mountain, serving as a focal point for a valley economy defined by its geology. The map documents an intricate network of karst features, including Sharp Sinks, Calloway Sinks, and Keel Sinks, which illustrate the complex drainage patterns of this limestone-rich region. Local history is anchored by rural landmarks such as Mt Nebo Church and several family burying grounds, including Maples and Todd cemeteries. Deep hollows like Stillhouse Hollow and McFarland Hollow cut through the steep terrain, while permanent water sources like Horton Spring and Chalybeate Spring provided essential resources for the dispersed upland homesteads of the mid-twentieth century.