1959 Map of Irondale

About this map

Red Mountain and Shades Mountain define the topography of this eastern Jefferson County landscape as urban expansion from Birmingham pushes into the valleys. The map documents a mid-century period of rapid suburbanization, where residential developments like Roebuck Gardens and Huffman are seen rising alongside institutional landmarks such as the Alabama Industrial Sch for Boys and the Hillcrest Sanitarium. The industrial and transport legacy of the region is clear, with the Birmingham Municipal Airport and the Air National Guard facility occupying the flat lands of Opossum Valley, while a dense network of rail lines including the Southern Railway and Central of Georgia Railroad navigate the narrow gaps. Significant community spaces are visible, from the Roebuck Municipal Golf Course to local education hubs like Banks High Sch and Wahouma Sch.