1919 Map of Grand Marais

About this map

Grand Marais and its northern shoreline are the focus of this military advance sheet, compiled at a time when the Lake Superior coast was being systematically charted for defense and navigation. The map highlights the rugged maritime character of Cook County, featuring prominent coastal landmarks like Terrace Pt. and the sheltered waters of Good Harbor Bay. A rare level of bathymetric detail is provided, including depth soundings and notations of the lake floor composition, such as sand and clay, which were vital for mariners approaching the harbor near Rock Island. Interior labels such as Rosebush delineate the early administrative and survey divisions of the North Shore wilderness as it appeared during the era of the First World War.