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1962 Map of Grand Rapids

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Grand Rapids
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

Grand Rapids and Lansing anchor this detailed mid-century survey of South Central Michigan, documenting a landscape where industrial centers and agriculture meet an extensive network of state-managed lands. The map illustrates the region's complex water system, following the Grand River and Kalamazoo River through several counties. Between the urban hubs of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, the Fort Custer Military Reservation stands as a significant landmark of the era's defense infrastructure.

The presence of numerous recreation and wildlife zones, such as the Allegan State Forest and Waterloo Recreation Area, reflects a post-war emphasis on public land conservation. Transportation is dominated by the emerging interstate system, including Interstate 94, while the Pennsylvania RR and New York Central RR continue to define the older industrial corridors. Local genealogists will find value in the many smaller communities and terrain features like Irish Hills and Sand Ridge.