1989 Map of Banat

About this map

Escanaba River State Forest covers much of this landscape in the late 1980s, revealing a region defined by its timber heritage and hydrological network. Small settlements like Banat, Nathan, and Gardner provide evidence of early 20th-century colonization efforts in the Upper Peninsula, particularly by European immigrants. The transportation history of the area is etched into the terrain by an Old Railroad Grade and Old RR Gr, which once moved timber and resources across the county. Numerous water bodies including the Little Cedar River, Shakey River, and Wire Grass Lake dominate the drainage pattern, while scattered Gravel Pits indicate local industry. This survey by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the USGS captures the transition from active extraction to managed state forestry.