1972 Map of Benedict

About this map

Chippewa National Forest and the Paul Bunyan State Forest dominate this lakeside landscape in northern Minnesota, where the Leech Lake Indian Reservation Boundary bisects a complex network of waterways. The settlement of Laporte sits on the western edge near Garfield Lake, while the smaller community of Benedict is positioned further east along the Kabekona River. This era shows a region defined by its timber and aviation infrastructure, evidenced by the Walker Municipal Airport and the Merrill Landing Strip located near the shores of Kabekona Bay. Water is the defining characteristic here, from the wide expanse of Leech Lake and Steamboat Bay to smaller features like Horseshoe Lake and Benedict Lake. The presence of a Gravel Pit near the road network suggests local industry supporting the rural infrastructure of the early 1970s.