1973 Map of Four Town NW

About this map

The Moose River winds through this orthophotomap of Beltrami County, marking a distinct transition between the wetlands of the Beltrami Island State Forest and the northern reaches of the Red Lake Indian Reservation. This 1973 survey, built from 1969 aerial photography, provides a literal look at the hydrology and vegetation patterns of the region. The map reveals the functional landscape of the era, where a network of Winter Trails and secondary paths provided access through the low-lying terrain. To the southwest, the Northwood State Wildlife Management Area occupies a significant portion of the landscape, illustrating the conservation and land-management priorities in Northern Minnesota during the early 1970s. The mix of photographic imagery and topographic contours offers a rare view of how roads and natural drainage systems interact within these protected forest and tribal lands.