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Detailed city map of Birmingham, Alabama, published in the early 1940s, with data based on the 1940 U.S. Census.

The map provides an extensive view of Birmingham’s urban layout, including streets, neighborhoods, and significant points of interest. On one side, the map prominently displays the street grid of Birmingham with labels, thoroughfares, and indications of commercial areas. Surrounding the map are advertisements for local businesses, including real estate firms, book shops, and moving companies, which highlight the commercial activity of the period. 

This map captures Birmingham during a period of rapid growth and urbanization, reflective of the post-Depression recovery and industrial boom. The 1940 Census data underscores the city’s demographic and economic changes as Birmingham was a hub of manufacturing and commerce in the southern United States. The map’s detail illustrates the divisions between residential, commercial, and industrial areas while providing valuable insight into the city’s transportation networks, including main roads and proposed developments. 

On the reverse side, there is a comprehensive street index organized alphabetically, along with a general information section listing prominent buildings, schools, hospitals, and other civic landmarks. The index is meticulously detailed, offering users the ability to easily locate streets and addresses within city limits. Additionally, this side of the map includes more advertisements, mileage tables, and information relevant to businesses and residents in the early 1940s. 

The map was published by the Western Map Company, reflecting typical mid-20th-century commercial cartographic practices that integrated city planning with advertising. The surrounding advertisements offer a glimpse into the economic landscape of Birmingham at the time, with a focus on real estate, insurance, retail, and other essential services. The inclusion of census data suggests the map’s aim to serve both residential and commercial users who would benefit from up-to-date population and infrastructure information.