1981 Map of Merson

About this map

The Kalamazoo River winds through the northern portion of this landscape, its flow managed by the Trowbridge Dam. This region along the Allegan and Van Buren county line is defined by its numerous water bodies and glacial depressions, including Pike Lake, Lake Sixteen, and Base Line Lake. Settlement is concentrated around the small community of Merson and scattered agricultural holdings connected by a grid of namesake avenues. Local history is anchored by sites like Trowbridge Ch, the Gobles Junior Academy, and several family-named burial grounds such as Blackman Cem and Mallory Cem. The land use shows a mix of recreation and industry, with the Timber Ridge Ski Area and Har-Lou Golf Course situated near active Oil Wells and numerous Gravel Pits, reflecting the diverse economic character of the rural townships in the early 1980s.