1971 Map of Hartley Lake

About this map

George Washington State Forest encompasses much of this 1971 orthophotomap, showing a complex glacial landscape defined by its intricate water network. The terrain is characterized by a dense concentration of kettle lakes and drainage systems, including the West Fork Prairie River which winds through the center of the sheet to meet the Prairie River. This map is particularly interesting for its visual record of the land cover, where timber stands and wetlands are visible around major water bodies like Hartley Lake, Round Lake, and Wolf Lake. A Winter Trail in the northern section and the Forest Boundary in the south indicate the region's managed nature and seasonal accessibility. Notable for genealogists and local historians are the numerous smaller named lakes, such as Stumpie Lake, Scooty Lake, and Christmas Lake, which serve as permanent landmarks in this remote northern Minnesota territory.