2019 Map of Island

About this map

Island and the railway junction at Hartley Spur anchor this remote landscape on the border of Aitkin and Saint Louis Counties. The terrain is characterized by extensive wetlands, notably the Island Farm Swamp, which dominates the central portion of the survey. The Savanna River and Sixteen Cr wind through these lowlands, which are interspersed with higher ground such as Big Island. Modern navigation through this backcountry relies on a network of unpaved corridors including Hedbom Forest Trl and Hedom Trl. This area represents a classic example of northern Minnesota bog country, where early settlement was closely tied to the timber industry and rail spurs. Isolated water bodies like Potshot Lake provide clear landmarks within the vast tracts of wetland that define the local geography.