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1986 Map of Detroit Lakes

Name: 1986 Topographic Map of Detroit Lakes
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

White Earth Indian Reservation and the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge dominate the northern landscape of this mid-1980s survey, illustrating a region defined by its dense network of glacial lakes and wetlands. The city of Detroit Lakes serves as the primary hub, where the tracks of the Burlington Northern and Soo Line railroads intersect, highlighting the area's historical reliance on rail transport for both agriculture and tourism. To the south, Maplewood State Park and Dead Lake show the transition into the diverse lake country of Otter Tail County.

Local industry and infrastructure are evident in the placement of the Municipal Airport and the sprawling Smoky Hills State Forest. The map captures a specific moment in the development of towns like Perham, Frazee, and New York Mills, documenting the footprint of rural Minnesota before late-twentieth-century expansions. Significant water bodies such as Big Pine Lake, Rush Lake, and Star Lake anchor the various townships, providing a clear view of the hydrological patterns that shaped local settlement and recreation.