1951 Map of Buhl

About this map

The Iron Range landscape dominates this early 1950s survey, defined by the heavy industrial footprint of open-pit mining and ore transport. Massive operations like the Sherman Mine, Hartley Mine, and Grant Mine are depicted with their accompanying mine dumps, shafts, and tailings ponds, illustrating the scale of extraction in the Mesabi Range. This industrial activity is tightly woven into the surrounding settlements of Chisholm, Buhl, and Fraser, where residential blocks sit in the shadow of the stockpiles. The complex logistical network required for ore movement is evidenced by the numerous rail lines, including the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range and Great Northern railroads, which crisscross the territory to connect mines with junctions like Dunwoody Junction. South of the pits, the terrain shifts toward a series of lakes and marshes, including Sizmile Lake and McQuade Lake, providing a contrast between the altered mining grounds and the natural hydrography of St. Louis County.