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2018 Map of Salem

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Salem
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

The Elk River carves a winding path across this borderland landscape, defining the transition between Giles County, Tennessee, and Limestone County, Alabama. The river's influence is evident in the numerous islands and bottomlands, such as Mason Island, Gallus Island, and the fertile Round Bottom. To the south, the waters of the Wheeler Reservoir reach into the quadrangle near Chickasaw Shoals, reflecting the managed hydraulic systems of the Tennessee Valley Authority era.

Settlement patterns follow the high ridges and deep hollows that drain into the river. Community centers like Leggtown, Salem, and Minor Hill are supported by a network of rural routes including Leggtown Rd and Buck Island Rd. Local genealogy is well-preserved through numerous family burial sites, from Gaston Cem in the north to Witty Cem and Mitchell Cem in the south. Distinctive terrain features such as Winding Stair Bluff and Cabbage Ridge provide a clear view of the dissected topography that has historically shaped farming and transit in this multi-state region.