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1959 Map of Fort William

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Fort William
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

The northern reaches of Lake Superior and the international border between Michigan and Ontario define this 1959 topographic record. The twin industrial and shipping hubs of Port Arthur and Fort William dominate the western shore of Thunder Bay, showing a dense network of rail infrastructure with the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National lines converging on the waterfront. The surrounding landscape is a complex of agrarian valleys and timbered highlands, where small communities like Rosslyn Village and Slate River Valley contrast with the prominent geological features of the Sibley Peninsula, including The Sleeping Giant.

South of the border, the rugged archipelago of Isle Royale National Park is documented in detail, showing interior lakes like Chickenbone Lake and sheltered waters such as Todd Harbor. This map captures a pivotal moment for the region's transport economy, documenting the interface between deep-water ports and the overland rail routes before the major expansion of modern highway systems through the terrain near The Palisades.