1959 Map of Lutsen

About this map

The rugged North Shore of Lake Superior dominates this mid-century portrait of Lutsen, Minnesota. Surveyed in 1959, the map reveals a landscape defined by dramatic elevation changes and a dense network of inland waters. The Poplar River cuts a prominent path toward the Great Lake, while local heights like Eagle Mountain, Moose Mountain, and Rollins Mountain overlook the Superior National Forest. Within this wilderness setting, Caribou Lake and Lake Agnes stand out as significant inland bodies. This survey captures the region before extensive modern development, showing the community centered around the Lutsen Cem and a handful of gravel pits. The mapping of soundings and depth curves in the lakes, compiled from Minnesota Department of Conservation charts, provides a rare look at the underwater topography of this glacial landscape.