1975 Map of Ross Mountain

About this map

The Tallapoosa River meanders through the northern and western reaches of this Cleburne County landscape, serving as a primary geographical anchor for the region. This 1975 orthophotoquad, produced by the Geological Survey and the Soil Conservation Service, uses aerial imagery to reveal the physical character of the land just before the late 1970s. The small settlement of Belltown is visible along the river's path, showing the concentrated patterns of rural habitation and agriculture that contrast with the heavily wooded elevations of Ross Mountain. This specific photographic record is valuable for tracing land-use transitions, showing the exact footprint of forest clearings and road networks that were established by the mid-1970s.