1953 Map of Montgomery

About this map

The Alabama River winds through the heart of the Black Belt in this mid-century survey, anchoring the historic centers of Montgomery and Selma. The landscape is defined by the convergence of major waterways, including the Cahaba River and Coosa River, which once served as the primary arteries of commerce before the rise of the extensive rail network shown here. The map reveals a post-war era of significant military activity, with Maxwell AFB, Gunter AFB, and Craig AFB established as permanent fixtures near the urban centers. To the north, the Talladega National Forest encompasses the high ground of the Appalachian foothills, including Bald Knob and Flag Mountain. This era captures the transition from a river-and-rail economy to a modern highway-centric one, evidenced by the primary routes of U.S. Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 31 connecting rural settlements like Uniontown and Marion.