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1960 Map of Kelso Mountain

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Kelso Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Kelso Mountain rises as a central landmark in this 1960s study of the Minnesota Arrowhead region, an area defined by its complex glacial hydrology. The landscape is dominated by a dense network of interconnected waterways, from Fente Lake in the north to the larger expanse of Mesaba Lake. This era represents a significant period in the conservation history of the north woods, as the map prominently delineates the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Evidence of early fire management and forest surveillance is visible at the Lookout Tower located atop the mountain. The intricate shoreline details of smaller bodies like Myth Lake, Bologna Lake, and Wawaswi Lake illustrate the primitive, water-bound transportation routes used by early travelers and forestry officials. In the southeast, the boundary of the Pat Bayle State Forest meets these wilderness areas, preserving a moment when these lands were being codified for protection and public use.