1967 Map of Namakan Island

About this map

Namakan Lake and the Kabetogama region define this international borderland, where the boundary between the United States and Canada threads through a labyrinth of glaciated islands and narrows. In the late 1960s, this area remained a dense wilderness within the Superior National Forest, characterized by complex water routes like the Canadian Channel and Squaw Narrows. Significant industrial footprints are visible at the Mica Mine near the northern edge and the Kettle Falls Dam, which regulates the flow between the major lakes. The map details a landscape of family-named landmarks and remote outposts, from McManus Island to Gagnon Island, reflecting the era's reliance on boat travel for reaching these isolated points. This survey captures the intricate shoreline of Namakan Island and the rugged topography of the St. Louis County mainland before modern development altered the character of this northern frontier.