1985 Map of Lake Richie

About this map

Isle Royale National Park is defined by its long ridges and interconnected waterways, shown here during a mid-1980s revision that documents the interior wilderness of Keweenaw County. The landscape is dominated by the parallel structures of Minong Ridge and Greenstone Ridge, which shelter a network of freshwater bodies including the large Lake Richie, Siskiwit Lake, and Lake Whittlesey. Evidence of the island's copper-mining history is preserved in the presence of the Minong Mine and Datolite Mine, illustrating the 19th-century industrial efforts that preceded the area's conservation. The map traces essential backcountry routes such as the Indian Portage Trail and Minong Trail, which connect vital points like Chippewa Harbor and the Moskey Basin shoreline. These trails and portages reflect a traditional transportation network that has remained largely unchanged for decades, serving as the primary infrastructure for navigating the island's interior.