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This map large map dated December 5, 1874, details the land allocations for the South & North Alabama Railroad's construction and operations across a substantial portion of Alabama. It focuses on the strategic intersection through Jones Valley, with coverage extending from Montgomery in the south to the Tennessee River and Decatur in the north.

The map features a clear grid overlay marking townships and ranges, illustrating a structured approach to land surveying and management. It includes essential geographical details such as rivers, towns, and the planned railroad routes, highlighting the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad's course.  The map also includes 3 geological cross sections, illustrating the geology of different parts of the region.

The map incorporates several geological formations and regions critical for understanding Alabama's natural resources during this period. These include:

• Cretaceous formations with marine limestone and chalk deposits.
• Post Tertiary deposits indicating geologically recent formations.
• Metamorphic rocks transformed into slate, schist, and gneiss.
• Silurian Limestone, characterized by its fossil content.
• Mountain Limestone is typically associated with mountainous terrain.

Key resource areas marked on the map include deposits of Gold, Iron Ore, Graphite (Plumbago), Mica, Carboniferous formations (Coal Measures), and Limestone, delineating zones rich in minerals critical for industrial development.

Two Coal Fields are noted:

• Cahaba Coal Field: This area became essential for the local iron industry, particularly around Birmingham, with its coal used extensively for coke production.
• Warrior Coal Field: Spanning a large part of Northern Alabama, this field supplied high-quality bituminous coal that was vital for the steel industry and related sectors.

South & North Alabama Railroad

Originally charted in 1854 as the Alabama Central Railroad, this line was intended to connect Montgomery and Decatur, passing through Jones Valley. The completion was significantly delayed by the Civil War but resumed in earnest post-war, culminating in the establishment of Birmingham's industrial hub. The completion of this railway was crucial for integrating Birmingham into broader economic networks, enhancing its role as an industrial center.

Rarity

The map is extremely rare.

The map is not listed in OCLC.  We note a single institutional example (Alabama State Archives).