1985 Map of Mille Lacs Lake

About this map

Mille Lacs Lake anchors this mid-1980s landscape, surrounded by an extensive network of conservation lands and small lakeside settlements. To the south and west, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park and Father Hennepin State Park preserve the shoreline, while the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Solana State Forest extend into the marshy timberlands to the north and east. The map captures the region's transition from a rail-dependent economy to a recreational one, with the Burlington Northern railroad running through northern towns like Crosby and Deerwood, while small lakeside communities such as Garrison and Wahkon serve as gateways to the water. Dozens of smaller lakes, including Serpent Lake and Farm Island Lake, dot the glacial terrain, providing a look at the intricate drainage patterns of the Rice River and Ripple River systems.