1963 Map of Carsonville

About this map

Carsonville sits at the intersection of a sprawling network of agricultural drains and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad during the early 1960s. The landscape of Sanilac County is defined by its complex water management system, featuring numerous engineered waterways like the Berry Drain, Shrapnell Drain, and McDonald Drain that feed into the prominent Black River. These drains suggest a highly developed rural economy focused on land reclamation for farming. Scattered throughout the townships of Bridgehampton and Washington are the vestiges of mid-century community life, including several rural schoolhouses such as Black River Sch and Butler Sch. Along the river's edge, recreational and industrial markers appear side-by-side, from the Black River Roadside Park and a Drive-in Theater to a local Salt Well, illustrating the diverse uses of the river corridor during this era.