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1951 Map of Johannesburg

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Johannesburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Johannesburg sits at the heart of this Michigan landscape, serving as a hub for local families and seasonal visitors at the mid-century. The settlement is anchored by the Charlton Town Hall and Church and the Full Gospel Church, with the Johannesburg Cemetery located just to the south. The surrounding terrain is defined by its glacial lake density, including the prominent Big Bear Lake and the cluster known as the Traverse Lakes.

Evidence of the era's recreational and agricultural character is visible through sites like the Echo Valley Resort and Hill Side Farm. Large portions of the area fall within the Pigeon River State Forest, where the network of small waters like Douglas Lake and Caulkins Lake meets the West Branch Big Creek. This survey captures the transition from a farming and logging community into a burgeoning vacation destination, marked by features such as Camp Bell and several private airfields.