1952 Map of Wheeler Dam

About this map

Wheeler Dam anchors this landscape where the Tennessee River broadens into Wilson Lake, marking a critical juncture of infrastructure and recreation in the early 1950s. The map illustrates the residential footprint of Wheeler Dam Village and the adjacent Joe Wheeler State Park, which emerged alongside the hydroelectric project. Further inland, the map documents the rural distribution of communities like Center Star, Elgin, and the vanished site of Houstontown. Numerous family burial grounds such as Harden Cem and Williams Cem are scattered across the terrain, providing valuable data for genealogists. The presence of Fosters Mill and Ebenezer Sch reflects a post-war rural economy still deeply tied to local landmarks and small-scale agriculture. The complex drainage of the region is traced through Town Creek and its many branches, while Lee Highway serves as the primary artery connecting these north Alabama settlements.