1960 Map of Cross Lake

About this map

Cross Lake and Fifty Lakes center this landscape of the Brainerd Lakes region, showing the intricate hydrology of the Pine River watershed. The map details the transition from early lakeside settlements to growing resort communities, where Manhattan Beach and Emily define the northern and eastern reaches. A heavy presence of public land is established by the Crow Wing State Forest, which blankets the southern portion of the sheet. Genealogical and local history value is found in small-scale landmarks such as the Cross Lake Sch and the Pinewood Cem near the banks of the Pine River. The presence of the Gaging Station and various Gravel Pit sites indicates the active management of the area's natural resources. From The Narrows at East Fox Lake to the complex shoreline of Little Pine Lake, the map documents the late 20th-century development of this central Minnesota lake country.