1951 Map of Buhl

About this map

The Mesabi Range iron mining landscape dominates this 1951 survey, where massive open pits and extensive Mine Dumps surround the communities of Chisholm, Buhl, and Fraser. The heavy industrial footprint of the State of Minnesota Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Commission is evident in the complex rail network of the Burlington Northern and Duluth Missabe and Iron Range railroads, which weave through active operations like the Sherman Mine and Grant Mine. South of the excavations, the land transitions into a patchwork of lakes and wetlands including Carey Lake and McQuade Lake. Local life is anchored by landmarks such as the Swandale School and the Chisholm Hibbing Airport, while the Spudville Clubhouse sits near the small settlement of Wilpen, illustrating the community infrastructure that supported the mining economy.