1955 Map of Isabella

About this map

The Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railroad carves through this densely forested landscape in Lake County, serving as a vital industrial artery for the region's logging and mining activities. This mid-century survey reveals a transition in settlement, where places like the Isabella Sch (Abandoned) and the Isabella (Station) mark the shift from established community hubs to more specialized outposts. Within the Superior National Forest and Minnesota State Forest, the map identifies several remote water-access points including Martin Landing, Kelly Landing, and Sawbill Landing. The topography is dotted with dozens of glacial lakes, from Sphagnum Lake in the northwest to the larger Tanner Lake in the east. Historic infrastructure such as the Stony Lookout Tower and the Ranger Station highlight the era's fire prevention and land management efforts, while Murphy City and Manitou Junction anchor the southern rail connections.