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1958 Map of Big Rapids

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Big Rapids
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Muskegon River serves as the central artery for this mid-century portrait of West-Central Michigan, where the city of Big Rapids sits at a critical junction of river power and rail transport. The presence of the Ferris Institute and the Pennsylvania railroad line highlights the town's role as a regional hub for education and commerce. To the south, the river is harnessed by the Rogers Dam and Rogers Pond, signaling the area's development for utility and industry.

Beyond the urban center, the landscape transitions into a mosaic of rural townships like Grant and Austin, dotted with small-scale landmarks such as the Mecosta Lookout Tower and Fly Sch. The eastern portion of the map is defined by a dense network of glacial lakes including Chippewa Lake and Big John Brown Lake, while the Haymarsh Lake State Game Area and Chippewa River State Forest indicate the preservation of natural timberlands and recreational spaces during the late 1950s.