1980 Map of Bloomer

About this map

Bloomer and Rice Lake anchor this topographic survey of northwestern Wisconsin, a region defined by its dense network of waterways and glacial terrain. The Chippewa River and Flambeau River converge near Holcombe, where the Holcombe Flowage creates a massive water body that dominates the eastern half of the map. This era shows the landscape’s transition between agricultural fields and state-managed conservation lands, including the Chippewa Moraine and numerous fishery areas like the Yellow River State Fishery Area. Transportation routes are firmly established, with the Soo Line and Chicago and North Western railroads connecting the smaller dairy and mill towns. Researchers will find significant detail in the Blue Hills region and around the Dairyland Reservoir, tracing the interaction between local industry and the natural drainage of the Red Cedar River and Jump River basins.