Loading map...

1947 Map of Kelso Junction

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Kelso Junction
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific rails define the industrial character of this Iron County landscape shortly after World War II. The network centers on Kelso Junction, where the tracks meet the Chicago and North Western line near the banks of the Paint River. This rail-heavy infrastructure supported the logging and mining interests that shaped the region, reaching out to smaller sidings like Mitchell Spur.

The central portion of the map is dominated by the Michigamme Reservoir, regulated by the Gagnon Dam on McCutcheon Creek. The surrounding area is a dense network of water bodies, including Upper Holmes Lake, Lower Holmes Lake, and Liver Lake, indicating a terrain heavily influenced by glacial activity and water management. Much of the northern territory is identified as Crystal Falls, providing a detailed look at the rural settlement patterns and timber-access routes used during the mid-century.