1899 Map of Crystal Falls

About this map

Iron mining and complex rail systems define the landscape of the Upper Peninsula at the turn of the century, centered on the growing industrial hub of Crystal Falls. This 1890s survey, conducted by Muldrow and Van Hise, documents the critical early infrastructure of Iron County. The map details the expansion of the Chicago and Northwestern and the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul railroads, including specialized spurs like the Armenia Branch and the C. and N. W. R. R. Dunn Mine Branch that serviced heavy industry. Key extraction points such as the Shafer Mine and Mastodon Mine are situated near the banks of the Paint River, illustrating how topography and natural resources dictated the early settlement patterns of Hematite and Mastodon townships. Numerous water bodies like the Fortune Lakes and Chicagon Lake break up the industrial activity, showing the original character of this mining district.