1956 Map of Beechwood

About this map

The Chicago and North Western railway cuts through this northern lake country, connecting small timber-era outposts like Elmwood, Basswood, and Beechwood in the mid-1950s. This survey spans the state line between Iron County, Michigan, and the northern reaches of Forest and Vilas Counties in Wisconsin, where the Ottawa National Forest meets the Nicolet National Forest. The landscape is a dense network of water bodies and timber resources, represented by sites like the University of Michigan Forestry Camp and fire-watch stations including the Golden Lake Lookout Tower. Local institutional life is anchored by the Beechwood Ch and the remote Elvoy Sch near the settlement of Elvoy. The numerous named lakes, from James Lake to the large Smoky Lake on the border, suggest a region defined by its hydrology and the early development of Northwoods recreation alongside its industrial forestry roots.