1950 Map of Sylvania

About this map

Sand Mountain dominates this mid-century landscape of DeKalb County, Alabama, where a network of crossroads communities defines the local geography. The central settlement of Sylvania is surrounded by rural hubs such as Bowman Crossroads, Brooks Crossroads, and Mahan Crossroads, each connected by a winding system of roads that navigate the headwaters of South Sauty Creek and Bengis Creek. The map reveals a dense social infrastructure of small churches and family burial grounds, including Unity Ch, Happy Home Church, and the Mahan Cem. This survey, based on 1947 field examinations by the Tennessee Valley Authority, details the intricate drainage patterns of the plateau, where numerous branches like Pole Bridge Branch and Wolf Branch carve into the terrain. The presence of landmarks like Wilkes Store and Double Spring highlights the importance of specific local points of trade and natural resources for the residents of Frog Valley and the surrounding tableland.