1975 Map of Yolande NW

About this map

The settlement of Oak Grove stands out against a landscape of extensive surface excavations and industrial land use in this late 1970s orthophotoquad. Produced through a collaboration between the Geological Survey and the Soil Conservation Service, this imagery reveals the complex topography of western Jefferson County. Unlike a traditional topographic sheet, this orthophoto provides a direct visual of the disturbed earth and terraced terrain characteristic of the region's mining operations, which define the local economy and geography. Narrow, winding roads trace the ridges between deep valleys, connecting small clearings and homesteads to the more established community at Oak Grove. The stark contrast between the dense wooded tracts and the geometric patterns of industrial sites offers a clear perspective on how large-scale extraction has shaped the physical layout of the area near the Warrior River basin.