1956 Map of Chad Lake

About this map

Lake Vermilion and the northern reaches of Bass Lake dominate this mid-century survey of the Minnesota Iron Range region. The landscape is characterized by an intricate network of waterways and protected woodlands, where the Superior National Forest meets the Burnt Side State Forest. The map documents a rugged interior accessible largely by water, featuring interior bodies like Buck Lake and the smaller Chad Lake. The northern edge is defined by the winding course of the Little Indian Sioux River, which drains into Otter Lake. This record of St. Louis County provides a look at the hydrologic patterns before modern development, marking significant coastal features such as Indian Point and the marshy expanses of Rice Bay.