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1955 Map of Champion

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Champion
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Mining operations and timberlands define this landscape in the mid-1950s, stretching across the Baraga Co Marquette Co line. The southern portion of the sheet is dominated by industrial activity, where the Duluth South Shore and Atlantic Railroad and the Chicago and North Western lines serve established settlements like Champion and Diorite. Several named sites such as the Michigan Gold Mine, Blueberry Mine, and Barnes and Hecker Mine point to the region's mineral history.

To the north, the terrain transitions into the Michigan State Forest and the extensive Yellow Dog Plains. This area is characterized by a dense network of water bodies and swamps, including Mulligan Swamp and Bulldog Lake. The map details early recreational footprints at Van Riper Park and infrastructure like the Lookout Tower and Relay Tower, providing a clear look at the intersection of heavy industry and wilderness conservation during this era.