Loading map...

1892 Map of Springville

Name: 1892 Topographic Map of Springville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1903
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1903

About this map

The Coosa River cuts a winding course through the heart of this survey, serving as a vital boundary between St Clair and Talladega counties. In the late 19th century, this landscape was defined by the transition from river-based transit to industrial rail, as seen in the numerous river crossings like Fombys Ferry and Halls Ferry operating alongside the emerging tracks of the Georgia Pacific Railroad and the East and West Railroad of Alabama. The rugged interior is marked by long, parallel ridges such as Beaver Creek Mountain and Backbone Mountain, which dictated the location of vital gaps like Slate Gap and McGlendon Gap.

Significant early settlements and industrial sites are scattered throughout the valleys, including the developing hub at Pell City and the resort character of St. Clair Springs. Engineering feats of the era are evident at the Canoefield Tunnel along the Georgia Pacific line. Local commerce is anchored by family-named landmarks like Goodwins Mill and Truss Mill, while the remote Starvation Valley provides a glimpse into the more isolated pockets of the northeast Alabama highlands.