1945 Map of Kelso Junction

About this map

The Michigamme Reservoir dominates the eastern portion of this 1945 landscape, a significant hydro-industrial feature regulated by the Gagnon Dam. This survey captures a critical nexus of Upper Peninsula logistics, where the Chicago and North Western and the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroads intersect near Kelso Junction. The presence of Mitchell Spur indicates the area's ongoing reliance on rail for timber and mineral transport during the mid-forties. Away from the iron-heavy industry of Crystal Falls, the map reveals a complex aquatic system of glacial lakes and marshy lowlands, including Upper Holmes Lake, Lower Holmes Lake, and Light Lake. The winding courses of the Paint River and Michigamme River frame the southern reaches, highlighting the drainage patterns that defined both natural travel routes and later industrial development in Iron County.