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1952 Map of Gwinn

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Gwinn
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Mining operations and railroad logistics define the landscape of Forsyth and Richmond townships in the early 1950s. The East Branch Escanaba River and Middle Branch Escanaba River converge near Gwinn, where a dense concentration of iron ore extraction points like the Gwinn Mine and Jopling Mine once fueled the regional economy. The map reveals the intricate connection between these industrial sites and the transport networks of the Chicago and North Western and Lake Superior and Ishpeming railroads.

Residential patterns are clustered around company towns and mining outposts such as Princeton, Austin, and New Swanzy. Beyond the industrial centers, the terrain is dotted with numerous glacial lakes, including Johnson Lake, Rice Lake, and Shag Lake. The presence of the Gwinn Lookout Tower and the early layout of Sawyer Airport indicate the area's transition into mid-century infrastructure and forest management during this era.