1942 Map of Kushla

About this map

Chickasaw Creek defines the eastern edge of this Alabama landscape, its winding course and associated wetlands creating a natural boundary for the settlements of Kushla and Mauvilla. Surveyed just before the United States entered the second World War, the map reveals a rural economy organized around the Gulf Mobile and Ohio Railroad and a network of named trails like Spice Pond Road. Small community hubs are identified by their spiritual and educational centers, including Mt Pilgrim Ch and the Kushla Sch. The elevation changes around Smithtown and the various branches of Williams Creek show a rugged terrain that influenced the placement of cemeteries like Mauvilla Cem and Indian Springs Cem on higher ground. This document provides a clear view of the Mobile County backcountry before the post-war expansion of the Gulf Coast region.