Old Maps of Cook County, Minnesota for Academic Research

Study the evolution of Cook County with 348 high-resolution historic maps. Whether you're teaching, researching, or modeling changes in land use, these maps provide essential visual documentation of urban, environmental, and geographic change.

  • Analyze long-term change: Track patterns in development, transportation, and natural features.
  • Ideal for environmental or urban studies: Support academic projects with primary historical map data.
  • Use in the classroom or lab: Educators and researchers rely on these maps to bring historical context to life.

These maps are a powerful tool for teaching, research, and visualizing how Cook County has changed over the decades.


Cook County, MN maps

(348)
  1. 1919 Map of Brule Lake
    1919 Map of Brule Lake
    1919 Brule Lake
    1919 Print · USGS
    Cook County at the close of the Great War was a wilderness of timber and water within the Superior National Forest. Researchers can trace early boundaries for Grand Marais and Lutsen or locate landmarks like Rosebush Hill and Brule Lake.

  2. 1919 Map of Grand Marais, 1943 Print
    1919 Map of Grand Marais, 1943 Print
    1919 Grand Marais
    1943 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Lake Superior comes into focus in this early military survey of the Minnesota coast. Genealogists and maritime historians can trace the early layout of Grand Marais and locate coastal features like Good Harbor Bay and Terrace Pt.

  3. 1919 Map of Lutsen, 1943 Print
    1919 Map of Lutsen, 1943 Print
    1919 Lutsen
    1943 Print · USGS
    Coastal Cook County appears here as a series of isolated lakeside settlements and river mouths in the years following the Great War. Genealogists and North Shore historians can trace the early footprints of Lutsen and Lockport near the Poplar River and Black Point.

  4. 1954 Map of Two Harbors, 1964 Print
    1954 Map of Two Harbors, 1964 Print
    1954 Two Harbors
    1964 Print · USGS
    The Minnesota North Shore and Superior National Forest are shown here in the mid-fifties, just as the taconite industry was reshaping the coast. Genealogists and historians can trace the rail lines of the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range or locate remote outposts like Sawbill Landing and Section Thirty.
    2 unique versions available

  5. 1955 Map of Tofte, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Tofte, 1957 Print
    1955 Tofte
    1957 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Minnesota is captured here in the mid-fifties, centered on the lakeside settlement of Tofte. Researchers can trace early aviation and forestry sites like Gervais Landing Field, the Lookout Tower, and the prominent Carlton Peak.
    2 unique versions available

  6. 1955 Map of Schroeder, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Schroeder, 1957 Print
    1955 Schroeder
    1957 Print · USGS
    The North Shore in the mid-1950s shows a landscape in transition as the taconite industry moves toward the coast. Researchers can trace the Erie Mining Company Railroad line down to Taconite Harbor or locate family roots near Schroeder and the Cross River.
    2 unique versions available

  7. 1955 Map of Tofte, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Tofte, 1957 Print
    1955 Tofte
    1957 Print · USGS
    Lake Superior's North Shore is captured here in the mid-fifties, just as heavy industry began reshaping the coastline. Trace the early footprints of Taconite Harbor, the Erie Mining Company Railroad, and landmarks like Carlton Peak.
    3 unique versions available

  8. 1955 Map of Cramer, 1957 Print
    1955 Map of Cramer, 1957 Print
    1955 Cramer
    1957 Print · USGS
    The North Shore backcountry of Lake and Cook counties is shown here in the mid-fifties, dominated by dense state and national forests. Researchers can trace the Minnesota and Northern Railroad line to Cramer or locate high-ground landmarks like the Wanless Lookout Tower.
    3 unique versions available

  9. 1956 Map of Little Marais, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Little Marais, 1958 Print
    1956 Little Marais
    1958 Print · USGS
    The North Shore's rugged transition from forest to lake is captured here in the mid-fifties, just as coastal infrastructure was modernizing. Trace the path of a highway Under Construction past Little Marais and the landmark Caribou Falls.
    3 unique versions available

  10. 1956 Map of Finland, 1958 Print
    1956 Map of Finland, 1958 Print
    1956 Finland
    1958 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Lake Superior is captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the rugged intersection of the Crystal Bay Finland State Forest and the lake. Researchers can trace the era's military footprint at the Finland Air Force Station or locate family roots near the Finland Cem and Cramer Homestead Lake.
    2 unique versions available

  11. 1957 Map of Two Harbors
    1957 Map of Two Harbors
    1957 Two Harbors
    1957 Print · USGS
    Minnesota's North Shore and the Arrowhead region are shown here in the mid-fifties as the taconite industry and cold war defense shaped the landscape. Researchers can trace the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range railroad, locate the Split Rock Light, and explore the iron-mining era at Taconite.

  12. 1957 Map of Quetico, 1967 Print
    1957 Map of Quetico, 1967 Print
    1957 Quetico
    1967 Print · USGS
    The Ontario-Minnesota borderlands are captured here in the mid-fifties, showing the vast wilderness of the Boundary Waters before modern development. Genealogists and researchers can trace rail settlements along the Canadian National Railways including Atikokan, Sapawe, and Kashabowie.
    2 unique versions available

  13. 1958 Map of Two Harbors
    1958 Map of Two Harbors
    1958 Two Harbors
    1958 Print · USGS
    The North Shore and Arrowhead region of Minnesota are captured in the 1950s as iron ore shipping and wilderness preservation shaped the land. Researchers can trace the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range RR, find maritime landmarks like Split Rock Light, and locate remote settlements from Babbitt to Grand Marais.

  14. 1958 Map of Deer Yard Lake, 1959 Print
    1958 Map of Deer Yard Lake, 1959 Print
    1958 Deer Yard Lake
    1959 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Minnesota meets the forested interior of Cook County in the late fifties, showcasing the transition from deep woods to the lakefront. Trace the path of Route 61 as it passes Black Point and the Cascade Lookout Tower or explore the rugged drainage of Indian Camp Creek.
    3 unique versions available

  15. 1958 Map of Good Harbor Bay, 1959 Print
    1958 Map of Good Harbor Bay, 1959 Print
    1958 Good Harbor Bay
    1959 Print · USGS
    The North Shore harbor of Grand Marais and the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior are captured here during the late fifties. Genealogists and local historians can locate the Poplar Grove Cem and the Town Hall, or trace the coastline around Terrace Point.
    4 unique versions available

  16. 1958 Map of Hancock, 1967 Print
    1958 Map of Hancock, 1967 Print
    1958 Hancock
    1967 Print · USGS
    The Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale are seen here during the mid-twentieth century as mining and maritime hubs. Trace the dense town layouts of Hancock and Calumet, or locate remote coastal markers like the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse and Rock of Ages Light.
    2 unique versions available

  17. 1959 Map of Lutsen, 1960 Print
    1959 Map of Lutsen, 1960 Print
    1959 Lutsen
    1960 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Lake Superior comes alive in the late fifties, showing the coastal settlement of Lutsen as its recreation economy began to take shape. Researchers can trace the layout of early lakeside life through the Lutsen Cem, the Skiing Sta at Moose Mountain, and the winding course of the Poplar River.
    4 unique versions available

  18. 1959 Map of Pigeon Point, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Pigeon Point, 1961 Print
    1959 Pigeon Point
    1961 Print · USGS
    The tip of Northeast Minnesota meets the Canadian border in the late 1950s, showing a landscape of rocky peninsulas and island chains. You can trace the Pigeon River past Pigeon Falls and explore the remote islands of Susie and Lucille.
    3 unique versions available

  19. 1959 Map of Northern Light Lake, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Northern Light Lake, 1961 Print
    1959 Northern Light Lake
    1961 Print · USGS
    Northern Minnesota's wilderness is preserved in this late-fifties survey of Cook County's intricate waterways. Researchers can trace the winding Brule River and locate remote timber-era landmarks like Section Ten Lake and Redcoat Lake.
    4 unique versions available

  20. 1959 Map of Pine Mountain, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Pine Mountain, 1961 Print
    1959 Pine Mountain
    1961 Print · USGS
    Cook County's wilderness interior is captured here in the late fifties, showing the legendary Gunflint Trail winding through a network of lakes. Search for historic sites like Gunflint Camp and the remote Lookout Tower overlooking Pine Mountain.
    3 unique versions available

  21. 1959 Map of Mineral Center, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Mineral Center, 1961 Print
    1959 Mineral Center
    1961 Print · USGS
    Cook County's rugged Arrowhead region is captured here in the late fifties, where the international border meets the Lake Superior coast. Trace the early layout of Mineral Center and Red Rock, or locate historic landmarks like Partridge Falls and Mt Sophie.
    4 unique versions available

  22. 1959 Map of Pine Lake East, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Pine Lake East, 1961 Print
    1959 Pine Lake East
    1961 Print · USGS
    Northeastern Cook County and the Canadian border are documented in the late fifties, showcasing the intricate water systems of the Arrowhead. Researchers can trace the Grand Portage terrain and wilderness landmarks like McFarland Lake, Devilfish Lake, and South Fowl Lake.
    4 unique versions available

  23. 1959 Map of Lima Mountain, 1961 Print
    1959 Map of Lima Mountain, 1961 Print
    1959 Lima Mountain
    1961 Print · USGS
    Northeastern Minnesota's high wilderness is captured here in the late fifties, showcasing the intricate glacial lakes of the Superior National Forest. Researchers can trace the path of the Old Railroad Grade and locate the Lookout Tower atop Lima Mountain.
    3 unique versions available

  24. 1959 Map of Munker Island, 1962 Print
    1959 Map of Munker Island, 1962 Print
    1959 Munker Island
    1962 Print · USGS
    The wilderness of the Boundary Waters comes to life in this late 1950s survey of the Minnesota-Ontario border. Trace the end of the Gunflint Trail at Trails End and explore the island chains of Saganaga Lake and Sea Gull Lake.
    4 unique versions available

  25. 1959 Map of Conners Island, 1962 Print
    1959 Map of Conners Island, 1962 Print
    1959 Conners Island
    1962 Print · USGS
    The Boundary Waters wilderness at the end of the fifties comes alive in this survey of the international border between Minnesota and Ontario. Trace historic canoe routes and portages including the Gneiss Lake Portage, Island Pine Portage, and the rapids of the Granite River.
    3 unique versions available

Showing maps 1-25 of 348

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Frequently asked questions

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