1959 Map of Custer

About this map

The Pere Marquette River and its southern branch wind through a heavily forested landscape dominated by the Manistee National Forest. This 1959 survey shows the area at a time when the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad still served the communities of Custer and Walhalla, providing a vital transit link across Mason County. The map details a dense network of rural infrastructure, including numerous country schools like Minega Sch and Kidder Sch, alongside landmark fire watch stations like the Custer Lookout Tower and Crystal Lookout Tower. To the south, Crystal Valley serves as a small hub for the surrounding township, while the northern sections are characterized by a high concentration of glacial lakes, such as Tallman Lake and Long Lake. This survey provides a meticulous record of land use, where scattered Gravel Pits and cemeteries like Riverside Cem appear amidst the growing second-growth timber of the national forest.