1961 Map of Iron River

About this map

Lake Superior shorelines and the heavy timber of the Ottawa National Forest dominate this regional view from the early 1960s. The landscape is defined by the high elevations of the Porcupine Mts and Huron Mts, which give way to the industrial and mining settlements of Iron River and Crystal Falls. This era shows a well-established transportation network where the Soo Line and Milwaukee Road railroads intersect with burgeoning post-war road systems, connecting remote outposts like White Pine and Silver City. The map reveals the intricate water system of the Upper Peninsula, from the vast Lake Gogebic to the headwaters at Lac Vieux Desert on the Wisconsin border. Between the iron-rich hills and the copper country, the vast Baraga Plains and various state forests indicate the transition from mineral extraction to large-scale timber management and recreational development.