1977 Map of Basswood Lake

About this map

Quetico Provincial Park and the Superior National Forest define this massive stretch of the borderlands, where the international boundary threads through a complex labyrinth of waterways. The transition from the Minnesota side into Ontario is marked by prominent features like Hunter Island and the expansive reaches of Basswood Lake. This 1970s survey illustrates the wilderness character of the region, emphasizing the intricate shorelines of Saganaga Lake and Lac La Croix before modern digital mapping. The geography is dominated by glacial scoured basins, including Snowbank Lake and Kekekabic Lake, which served as historic routes for indigenous peoples and early fur traders. The absence of heavy road infrastructure highlights the remote, water-connected nature of the landscape, preserved within Burntside State Forest and its neighboring protected lands.