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1973 Map of Kempster

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Kempster
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Kempster and the surrounding township of Upham are defined by a complex mosaic of glacial kettle lakes and wetlands during the early 1970s. The Chicago and North Western railroad forms the central corridor for the local economy, connecting the small settlements of Koepenick and Lakeside. The landscape is dominated by large water bodies such as Summit Lake and Greater Bass Lake, the latter hosting the Bass Lake Country Club, reflecting a shift toward recreational land use in the Northwoods.

Evidence of the region's logging and transit history is visible in the Old RR Grade and the vast, marshy expanse of Bogus Swamp. Smaller, descriptively named features like Shanty Bottom Lake, Black Oak Lake, and Shoestring Lake suggest the specific character of local family landmarks and seasonal camps. This survey also documents transportation infrastructure ranging from the informal Landing Strip near Summit Lake to the network of timber-access routes like Bass Lake Road.