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1956 Map of Matchwood

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Matchwood
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Ottawa National Forest dominates this mid-century landscape in Ontonagon County, where timber and transit intersect. The Duluth South Shore and Atlantic railroad corridor serves as the primary East-West axis, connecting the small settlements of Topaz, Matchwood, and Ewen. This corridor represents the area's mid-20th-century economic lifeblood, facilitating the movement of resources through the northern woods.

Evidence of earlier industry and public works appears at the Norwich Mine and the Victoria Reservoir on the Ontonagon River. The terrain is defined by a dense network of waterways, including the South Branch Ontonagon River and the West Branch Ontonagon River. Notable landmarks such as the Norwich Lookout Tower and Big Bear Airport reflect a era of forest management and emerging aviation, while the Ewen Cem remains a primary point of interest for those tracing family roots in the region.