1907 Map of Leeds

About this map

Industrial development and the early iron industry anchor this early 20th-century survey of the Alabama ridge-and-valley landscape. The Lady Belle Furnace stands near Trussville, marking the era's heavy reliance on local mineral wealth, further evidenced by the Alfretta Mines tucked into the southern ridges. The complex terrain is defined by a series of parallel heights including Sand Mountain, Red Mountain, and Shades Mountain, which dictated the paths of the region's expanding rail network. Heavy hitters of the age like the Southern Ry, Central of Georgia Ry, and Birmingham Mineral RR crisscross the valleys to connect settlements like Leeds, Henryellen, and Mount Pinson Pinson P O. Local life is anchored by landmarks such as Oakgrove Church and Smiths Mill, while the Loves Mineral Well and McCluney Cave highlight the distinctive geological features of the Cahaba River basin.