1968 Map of Myrtle Lake

About this map

Kabetogama State Forest dominates this northern Minnesota landscape, where the terrain is defined by a dense network of glacial lakes and winding waterways. Centered on the clear waters of Myrtle Lake, the area shows a distinct lack of permanent settlements, focused instead on the natural drainage patterns of the Pelican River. An interpretive look at the map reveals the legacy of the region's timber era, evidenced by the Old Railroad Grade that winds through the northern sections, cutting through the forest toward Clear Lake. To the south, the irregular shoreline of Elbow Lake and the smaller Little Elbow Lake further illustrate the complex hydrology of St. Louis County. These features, along with Ban Lake, represent a wilderness preserved for state management during the late 1960s.