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1958 Map of Bemidji

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Bemidji
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Lake Bemidji and the upper reaches of the Mississippi River serve as the focal point for this mid-century survey of North-Central Minnesota. The landscape is defined by its massive water bodies and significant tribal lands, including the Red Lake Indian Reservation bordering Lower Red Lake and the White Earth Indian Reservation to the west. The distribution of settlements like Bemidji, Walker, and Cass Lake reflects the region's reliance on both the water network and the overlapping rail lines of the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and Soo Line.

Within the Chippewa National Forest, the map captures a complex system of bays and lakes, such as Leech Lake and Winnibigoshish Lake. These waters, along with the source at Lake Itasca, illustrate the hydrological importance of the region before modern development further altered the wilderness character. The presence of small rail stops and lakeside towns like Federal Dam and Bena provides a detailed look at the timber and transit hubs of the late 1950s.