1976 Map of Frankfort SW

About this map

Lake Michigan dominates the western edge of this 1976 orthophotograph, where the deep-water harbor at Elberta meets the coastline. This aerial-based survey provides a precise visual record of the shoreline and inland topography before modern development patterns shifted, focusing on the interface between the lake and the sheltered waters of Betsie Lake. The settlement of Watervale further south reflects the quiet, forested character of the Benzie County coast during the mid-1970s. For researchers, the photographic nature of this advance print offers a distinct advantage over traditional line maps, revealing the exact tree lines, field boundaries, and road structures as they existed on the ground. It serves as a clear document of the land use patterns and rural layout of the region during a period of relative stability in northern Michigan's coastal communities.