1947 Map of Sylvania

About this map

Sand Mountain dominates this landscape, where the plateau terrain of DeKalb County is carved by a dense network of tributaries including Sauty Creek and Bengis Creek. The 1947 survey, later updated with aerial photography, reveals a region defined by high-elevation agricultural crossroads like Bowman Crossroads, Brooks Crossroads, and Mahan Crossroads. The settlement patterns are closely tied to the topography, with community life centered around numerous rural congregations such as Happy Home Church, Unity Ch, and Mount Olive Church. Notably, the map documents the intersection of rural life and early 20th-century infrastructure, featuring the De Kalb County Public Lake and the Sylvania corporate boundaries. Genealogists will find significant detail in the placement of family-centric landmarks and burial sites like Mahan Cem and Dean Chapel Cem, providing a clear record of the area's development before modern suburban expansion.