Old Maps of Leelanau County, Michigan for Metal Detecting

Plan your next treasure hunt with 150 historic maps of Leelanau County. Find old homesites, ghost towns, trails, and gathering spots that may be lost to time — perfect for identifying promising metal detecting locations.

  • Locate forgotten sites: Uncover places like long-lost settlements, abandoned rail lines, or gathering spots.
  • Plan better hunts: Use map overlays combined with LiDAR or satellite views to narrow in on historically rich areas.
  • Made for detectorists: Thousands of hobbyists use these maps to discover relics, coins, and hidden history.

Use these historic maps to boost your research and find new opportunities beneath the surface of Leelanau County.


Leelanau County, MI maps

(150)
  1. 1954 Map of Traverse City, 1965 Print
    1954 Map of Traverse City, 1965 Print
    1954 Traverse City
    1965 Print · USGS
    Northern Michigan’s vast lakeshores and timberlands are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the region before the modern interstate era. Genealogists and researchers can trace rail connections like the Detroit and Mackinac RR or find old communities such as Suttons Bay, Elk Rapids, and Prudenville.
    4 unique versions available

  2. 1954 Map of Escanaba, 1967 Print
    1954 Map of Escanaba, 1967 Print
    1954 Escanaba
    1967 Print · USGS
    The Upper Peninsula and Door County shorelines meet here in the mid-fifties, showing the vital maritime and timber networks of the Great Lakes. Researchers can trace historic rail lines, old fire lookouts like the Stonington Fire Tower, and island settlements such as Washington Island.
    2 unique versions available

  3. 1954 Map of Manitowoc, 1968 Print
    1954 Map of Manitowoc, 1968 Print
    1954 Manitowoc
    1968 Print · USGS
    Lake Michigan served as a vital transit corridor in the mid-fifties, with car and auto ferries linking the industrial ports of Wisconsin to the Michigan timberlands. Genealogists and maritime historians can trace active ferry routes like the Ann Arbor Railway Car and Auto Ferry and locate early settlements from Brussels to Algoma.
    2 unique versions available

  4. 1955 Map of Cheboygan, 1964 Print
    1955 Map of Cheboygan, 1964 Print
    1955 Cheboygan
    1964 Print · USGS
    Northern Michigan in the mid-fifties is a landscape of dense timber and deep water, showing the region just as the road network began to modernize. Trace family roots in lakeside towns like St Ignace and Petoskey, or follow the historic tracks of the Pennsylvania RR and New York Central RR.
    5 unique versions available

  5. 1956 Map of North Manitou, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of North Manitou, 1958 Print
    1956 North Manitou
    1958 Print · USGS
    North Manitou and South Manitou islands are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing a landscape of maritime navigation and quiet interior lakes. Researchers can locate the N Manitou I Sch (Abandoned), the S Manitou I Cem, and the vital Lifeboat Station.
    2 unique versions available

  6. 1956 Map of South Fox Island, 1959 Print
    1956 Map of South Fox Island, 1959 Print
    1956 South Fox Island
    1959 Print · USGS
    Isolated in the waters of Lake Michigan during the mid-fifties, these islands represent a unique maritime outpost within Leelanau Twp. Researchers can trace the layout of the South Fox Island Lighthouse and the early Landing Field on the southern island.
    2 unique versions available

  7. 1957 Map of Escanaba
    1957 Map of Escanaba
    1957 Escanaba
    1957 Print · USGS
    The Upper Peninsula and Door County shorelines meet in the mid-fifties, capturing a landscape of timber, iron, and maritime trade. Genealogists and local historians can trace the Chicago & North Western RR through settlements like Hermansville or locate St Vitals Church and the Potawatome Indian Reservation.

  8. 1957 Map of Traverse City, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Traverse City, 1958 Print
    1957 Traverse City
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Grand Traverse region flourished in the mid-fifties as a center for cherry orchards and lakeside commerce. Trace ancestral roots at the Maple Grove Cem or locate historic landmarks like Fountain Point and the Clinck Park Zoo.
    2 unique versions available

  9. 1957 Map of Empire, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Empire, 1958 Print
    1957 Empire
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Leelanau Peninsula coast in the mid-fifties shows a rugged landscape of shifting sands and Cold War defense. Genealogists and historians can locate Maple Grove Cem, the sprawling Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the Empire Air Force Station.
    2 unique versions available

  10. 1957 Map of Northport, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Northport, 1958 Print
    1957 Northport
    1958 Print · USGS
    The tip of Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula is captured here in the late fifties, showcasing its unique bayside settlements and maritime history. Genealogists and local historians can locate St Wenceslaus Ch, the village of Peshawbestown, and the Grand Traverse Light.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1957 Map of Maple City, 1958 Print
    1957 Map of Maple City, 1958 Print
    1957 Maple City
    1958 Print · USGS
    Leelanau County's lake-studded landscape is captured here in the late fifties, showing the interplay between forest and settlement. Researchers can trace family sites at St Joseph Cem & Ch, the North Unity Sch, and Port Oneida.
    3 unique versions available

  12. 1958 Map of Escanaba
    1958 Map of Escanaba
    1958 Escanaba
    1958 Print · USGS
    Northern Lake Michigan maritime commerce and timberlands are captured here in the mid-fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace rail networks like the Escanaba and Lake Superior or locate island settlements such as Detroit Harbor and Fish Creek.

  13. 1958 Map of Cheboygan
    1958 Map of Cheboygan
    1958 Cheboygan
    1958 Print · USGS
    The tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the surrounding Great Lakes islands are shown here in the late fifties, during the peak of the rail-and-ferry era. Trace the paths of the Pennsylvania RR and explore lakeside settlements like St James, Petoskey, and Indian River.
    2 unique versions available

  14. 1958 Map of Traverse City
    1958 Map of Traverse City
    1958 Traverse City
    1958 Print · USGS
    Northern Lower Michigan was a landscape of vast state forests and burgeoning lakeside retreats in the late fifties. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail corridors of the Ann Arbor RR and find established settlements from Elk Rapids to Houghton Lake.
    2 unique versions available

  15. 1958 Map of Manitowoc
    1958 Map of Manitowoc
    1958 Manitowoc
    1958 Print · USGS
    Lake Michigan and its shorelines are shown in the late fifties when maritime transport defined the region. Researchers can trace the routes of the Ann Arbor Railroad Ferry or locate old settlements like St. Nazianz, Rostock, and Two Creeks.

  16. 1983 Map of Northport, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Northport, 1984 Print
    1983 Northport
    1984 Print · USGS
    The northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula comes into focus in the early eighties, showing a landscape where state parklands and lakeside villages meet. Trace the shoreline from Lighthouse Point to Northport, locating local landmarks like the Woolsey Memorial Airport and Grand Traverse Light.

  17. 1983 Map of Empire, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Empire, 1984 Print
    1983 Empire
    1984 Print · USGS
    The Leelanau shoreline comes into focus in the early eighties as the national lakeshore took its modern shape. Researchers can trace local landmarks like Maple Grove Cem and the Radar Station or follow the path of Otter Creek through the dunes.
    2 unique versions available

  18. 1983 Map of Omena, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Omena, 1984 Print
    1983 Omena
    1984 Print · USGS
    Leelanau Peninsula’s eastern shore is captured here in the early eighties, showing a landscape of coastal settlements and lakeside camps. Trace family roots and local geography through Peshawbestown, the rails of the Leelanau Transit Company, and Omena Point.

  19. 1983 Map of Burdickville, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Burdickville, 1984 Print
    1983 Burdickville
    1984 Print · USGS
    Leelanau County's lake-rich landscape is captured here in the early eighties, centered on the community of Burdickville and the southern shores of Glen Lake. Researchers can trace rural cemeteries like Tobin Cem and Wilson Cem, alongside local landmarks like Glen Lake Sch.
    3 unique versions available

  20. 1983 Map of Maple City, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Maple City, 1984 Print
    1983 Maple City
    1984 Print · USGS
    Leelanau County's rural heartland is captured here in the early eighties, showcasing a landscape of dense state forests and scattered farmsteads. Genealogists can trace family names through numerous sites like St Rita Cem, Kasson Cem, and the settlement at Maple City.
    2 unique versions available

  21. 1983 Map of Glen Haven, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Glen Haven, 1984 Print
    1983 Glen Haven
    1984 Print · USGS
    The Leelanau coastline comes into focus during the early eighties, showcasing the intersection of the maritime economy and protected parklands. Researchers can trace the layout of Glen Haven and the expansive reach of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

  22. 1983 Map of Northport NW, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Northport NW, 1984 Print
    1983 Northport NW
    1984 Print · USGS
    The Leelanau Peninsula shoreline meets the water in the early eighties, showcasing a landscape of sandy beaches and rural crossroads. Genealogists and local historians can trace family-named routes like Nelson Road and explore the area around Garthe and Peterson Park.

  23. 1983 Map of Gills Pier, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Gills Pier, 1984 Print
    1983 Gills Pier
    1984 Print · USGS
    The Leelanau Peninsula shoreline in the early eighties reveals a landscape of lakeside settlements and quiet interior farm roads. Genealogists can trace family landmarks and rural institutions like the Indian Mission Ch, Solar Sch, and Beechwood Cem.

  24. 1983 Map of Traverse City, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Traverse City, 1984 Print
    1983 Traverse City
    1984 Print · USGS
    Traverse City and the surrounding bay country are captured in the early eighties as the region balanced its timber heritage with growing conservation. Genealogists and local historians can trace the rail lines of the Ann Arbor RR through settlements like Kingsley and Fife Lake.
    2 unique versions available

  25. 1983 Map of Mapleton, 1984 Print
    1983 Map of Mapleton, 1984 Print
    1983 Mapleton
    1984 Print · USGS
    The Old Mission Peninsula and the shores of the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay are captured here in the early 1980s. Local historians can trace established homesteads near Mapleton or locate the St Josephs Ch and Bowers Harbor Cem near the water.

Showing maps 1-25 of 150

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Frequently asked questions

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