1976 Map of Big Rapids NE

About this map

Chippewa Lake sits at the northern edge of this orthophotoquad, serving as a primary focal point for this rural landscape in central Michigan. The 1976 aerial photography reveals a mosaic of rectangular agricultural fields and dense woodlots characteristic of the region's mid-century farming patterns. The small settlement of Rodney is visible in the central portion of the sheet, surrounded by a network of sectional roads that connect the isolated farmsteads. To the east, the waters of Jernzen Lake and Horsehead Lake break up the land, surrounded by wooded shoreline that suggests a mix of natural cover and burgeoning seasonal recreation. This survey, produced in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, provides a precise visual record of the land use before significant modern suburban expansion or further agricultural consolidation altered these township corridors.