2023 Map of Free Soil

About this map

Free Soil and Fountain serve as the primary population centers in this northern Mason County landscape, where the Manistee National Forest covers much of the terrain. The area is defined by its complex hydrography, with the Big Sable River winding across the northern section while the North Branch Lincoln River and South Branch Lincoln River drain the southern reaches. Numerous small lakes, including Gun Lake, Lake Two, and Chancellor Lake, are scattered throughout the wooded sections, often accessed by a grid of rural routes such as N Custer Rd and Stephens Rd. For those researching family history, several burial sites are documented across the townships, including the Saint John Cantius Cem, Meade Cem, and Fountain Cem. The map illustrates a rural Michigan environment where forestry and small-town settlement remain the dominant features.