1931 Map of Custer SW

About this map

The settlement of Crystal and the surrounding townships of Eden and Crystal are documented here during the early 1930s, based on field examinations and aerial photography by the Air Corps. The landscape is defined by the Pentwater River Drainage and a series of water bodies including Ordway Lake, Devils Lake, and Lost Lake. This survey illustrates a rural community infrastructure built around local education and civic life, featuring the Town Hall in Eden and a network of schools such as Fern Sch, Elmwood Sch, Peachville Sch, and Kidder Sch. The drainage patterns of Crystal Valley Creek and Ruby Creek shape the agricultural and residential layout of the area near the Mason and Oceana county boundary, providing a clear view of the land before modern development altered these small-town watersheds.