1960 Map of Beth Lake

About this map

Glacial lakes and dense woodlands dominate this 1960s landscape within the Superior National Forest and the Minnesota State Forest. The map detail reveals an intricate network of waterways essential to the region's recreation and timber history, centered on Beth Lake and the expansive Alton Lake. In the northeast, the Sawbill Campground sits at the edge of Sawbill Lake, serving as a primary entry point for the wilderness interior. The hydrology of the area is defined by numerous smaller bodies of water like Grace Lake and Phoebe Lake, connected by minor drainages such as Hog Creek and Timber Creek. This survey captures the terrain before modern motorized restrictions were fully established, documenting the primitive road access near the Temperance River and the boundary line between the national and state forest lands.