1971 Map of Sylvan Springs

About this map

Locust Fork winds through a landscape defined by its industrial foundations and mining settlements northwest of Birmingham. This 1971 record (with 1982 edits) reveals the dense network of strip mines and oil wells that fueled the local economy, particularly around Praco and Labuco. The map captures the specialized transport infrastructure of the era, from the Birmingham Southern railroad serving the river terminal at Port Birmingham to the Woodruff Bridge and Atwood Ferry Bridge spanning the water. For researchers, the inclusion of small community landmarks like Salter Cem and Atwood Cem provides essential grounding for genealogy in these worker-focused settlements. The transition from industrial corridors to residential pockets like Sylvan Springs and Booker Heights reflects the mid-century development patterns of Jefferson County's western hills.