1952 Map of Keewatin

About this map

Iron ore extraction dominates the landscape of the Mesabi Range in the early 1950s, where massive pits and extensive Mine Dumps surround the hub of Keewatin. The infrastructure of the Mining Railroad and the Great Northern rail lines weave through the terrain, connecting industrial sites like the Mesabi Chief Mine, Stevenson Mine, and Mississippi No 1 Mine. While mining activity is concentrated in the southern half of the quadrangle, the northern reaches maintain a natural character with numerous water bodies including Libby Lake, Horsehead Lake, and Long Lake. This map captures a significant period of industrial intensity, detailing the proximity of residential settlements like Kelly Lake and Stevenson to the large-scale Tailings Ponds and open pits that defined the regional economy and geography.