1956 Map of Beaver Island

About this map

Beaver Island and the neighboring High Island are documented here following 1954 aerial photography, revealing a landscape defined by isolated settlement and substantial public lands. The northern port of St James serves as the primary hub, where the Beaver Harbor Lighthouse guards the entrance to Beaver Island Harbor. Much of the interior is dedicated to the Pigeon River State Forest, with the southern portion of the island featuring large water bodies like Lake Geneserath and coastal landmarks such as Iron Ore Bay. Rural life on the island is captured in the presence of the Holy Cross Ch and two schools, Sunnyside Sch (Abandoned) and Roseville Sch (Abandoned), which indicate shifts in the island's population centers during the mid-20th century. The map also identifies the Beaver Island Lookout Tower, a critical point for forest management and navigation.