2014 Map of Big Bend

About this map

The Muskegon River defines this portion of the Michigan landscape, flowing southward into the expansive Hardy Dam Pond. This 2014 survey documents a region where the Manistee National Forest meets localized rural settlements and water-based recreation sites. Significant for genealogists and local historians, the map identifies several established burial grounds including Goodwell Cem, Fairview Cem, West Aetna Cem, and Saint Peters Cem, many situated near the small road junctions that knit the countryside together. Recreational hubs such as Oxbow Park and the prominent Big Bend of the river showcase the area's modern land use. The terrain is dotted with numerous kettle lakes and smaller tributaries like Betts Cr and Fivemile Cr, illustrating the glacial hydrology typical of the Newaygo and Mecosta county line.