2014 Map of Gaastra

About this map

Iron River and its neighboring mining settlements define this portion of the Upper Peninsula, where the landscape transitions from industrial centers into the dense woodlands of the Nicolet National Forest. The map records a dense concentration of company towns and locations, including Gaastra, Caspian, and Palatka, alongside specialized residential clusters like Bates Location and Rogers Location. This settlement pattern reflects the area's deep history of iron ore extraction, where communities were often built in immediate proximity to the mine shafts. Beyond the urban grid, the terrain is marked by a glaciated hydrography featuring Chicagon Lake, Scott Lake, and the winding path of the Brule River, which serves as the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin. Local transit and heritage are noted through features like Bates Cem and the various forest roads that penetrate the timberlands to the south.