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1956 Map of Crab Lake

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Crab Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Burntside Lake and the dense wilderness of the Superior National Forest dominate this mid-century survey of St. Louis County. This northern landscape is defined by its intricate glacial hydrology, where the Korb River connects a chain of smaller waters like Korb Lake and Little Crab Lake. The map reveals a complex system of administrative boundaries, including the Minnesota State Forest and the Burnt Side forest units, which overlap the lake-dotted terrain.

Water bodies of all sizes are meticulously named, from the expansive Cummings Lake in the north to small, isolated basins like Phantom Lake and Sprite Lake. Within the larger bays of Burntside, landforms such as Pine Island, Shellman Island, and Long Island are detailed. The survey illustrates the region's remote character during the 1950s, showing a landscape almost entirely defined by water, forest, and narrow portages before significant modern development.