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1949 Map of Tutwiler School

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Tutwiler School
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Black Warrior River and the subsequent formation of Bankhead Lake dominate the southeastern corner of this landscape, where the borders of Walker, Tuscaloosa, and Jefferson counties converge. The terrain is a complex network of ridges and narrow valleys, defined by numerous waterways including White Oak Creek, Cedar Creek, and Indian Creek. Settlement patterns in the mid-20th century were dispersed, with small communities like Fairview, Browntown, and Canaan connected by winding roads through the hilly interior.

Industrial activity is evident through prominent Strip Mine operations that cut across the central ridges, particularly near Three Forks. Educational and spiritual life centered on local landmarks such as Tutwiler School, Reynolds Sch, and Freewill Ch. Notably, the High Hill Fire Tower stands on a high point near Chapel Hill, overlooking a topography that transitions from rural homesteads to intensive resource extraction as the region's economy shifted during the post-war era.