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1953 Map of Montgomery

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Montgomery
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Alabama River anchors this regional landscape, winding from the confluence of the Coosa River and Tallapoosa River near Montgomery westward toward Selma and Demopolis. During this mid-century period, the area reflects a transition from river-based commerce to a heavy reliance on a maturing rail network, including the Southern Railway and the Western Railway of Alabama. Military aviation plays a significant role in the local economy and geography, with Maxwell AFB, Gunter AFB, and Craig AFB established as major landmarks.

To the north, the Talladega National Forest and Valley Creek State Park provide a counterpoint to the growing urban centers. Significant hydroelectric developments are evident in the chain of reservoirs including Mitchell Lake and Jordan Lake. The map details the complex drainage systems of the Black Belt region, tracing numerous creeks like Boguechitto Creek and Pintlalla Creek that defined the historic plantation and farming boundaries of central Alabama.