1960 Map of Alice Lake

About this map

The Kawishiwi River winds through a dense network of interconnected waterways in this 1960 survey of Lake County, highlighting the complex hydrology of northeastern Minnesota. Large bodies of water like Alice Lake, Thomas Lake, and Adams Lake dominate the landscape, separated by narrow portages and rocky outcrops typical of the Superior National Forest. The map documents a wilderness character preserved before modern expansion, with the Minnesota State Forest boundary clearly defined. Human presence is remarkably sparse, indicated primarily by a Restricted Jeep Trail and few other land-based routes. Many smaller lakes carry evocative names such as Fishdance Lake, Struggle Lake, and Blissful Lake, suggesting the early recreational and surveying history of the region. This topography reflects the deep glacial scouring that formed the Boundary Waters area, showing the intricate relationship between the river systems and the countless lakes like Beaver Lake and Malberg Lake.