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1912 Map of Deerwood

Name: 1912 Topographic Map of Deerwood
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Northern Pacific railroad line anchors the northern corridor of this 1912 survey, connecting the burgeoning mining and timber settlements of Crosby, Ironton, and Deerwood. This era of development is defined by a dense network of rural one-room schoolhouses, such as School No 76 and Katrine School, serving isolated homesteads scattered through the lake-heavy landscape. The terrain is characterized by an immense concentration of water bodies, ranging from the massive northern shore of Mille Lacs Lake to intricate chains like Borden Lake and Serpent Lake.

Cultural landmarks like the Doris Church and small junctions at Bennettville or Oreland illustrate the early 20th-century social geography of Crow Wing and Aitkin counties. For those interested in early transportation, the map traces various trails and roads connecting long-standing sites like Easton School and the settlement of Garrison on the lakefront. The sheer volume of named water features, including Nokay Lake and Clearwater Lake, highlights a landscape where water travel and proximity were vital to the local economy and settlement patterns.