1961 Map of Bedford

About this map

Lacey, Assyria, and Bedford anchor this portrait of the central Michigan landscape at the dawn of the 1960s. The map highlights a complex glacial topography defined by dozens of small kettle lakes and wetlands, including Culver Lake, Cassidy Lake, and Metcalf Lake. The rural character of Johnstown and Pennfield townships is evident in the dense network of country schools that once served these communities, such as Pleasantview Sch, Mamby Sch, and Court Sch. The southern portion of the map shows early signs of suburbanization and recreational development, most notably around St Marys Lake and the Marywood Country Club. Researchers can trace the drainage patterns of Wabascon Creek as it winds through the county line between Barry and Calhoun counties, connecting several larger water bodies like Wabascon Lake and Foster Lake.