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1950 Map of Isaac Lake

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Isaac Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

The Embarrass River and Birch River wind through this heavily forested section of St. Louis County, where the transition between the Minnesota State Forest and the Superior National Forest defines the landscape. The interior is characterized by a dense network of glacial lakes and wetlands, including Island Lake, Isaac Lake, and the uniquely named Sock Lake. This 1950 survey highlights the local infrastructure of the rural north woods, featuring the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range railroad cutting across the southern corner.

Local civic and family history is anchored by the Town Hall and the presence of small community burial grounds such as Armanda Cem and Argo Cem. The map reveals a sparsely populated region organized around these water bodies and rail lines, offering a clear view of the wilderness before later development or shifts in forest management altered the drainage patterns and access roads of the iron range country.