1945 Map of Namekagon Lake

About this map

The Namekagon River winds through this heavily glaciated landscape of northern Wisconsin, which was surveyed during the mid-1940s when much of the area was already protected as National Forest. This map reveals a transition from a logging-centered economy to one of seasonal recreation and conservation, evidenced by the presence of the Lost Land Lake Club and the Sawyer CCC Camp in the southeast. Water is the defining characteristic of the terrain, with dozens of named kettle lakes such as Eagle Nest Lake, Lost Land Lake, and Hidden Lake scattered across the boundary of Bayfield Co and Sawyer Co. Human infrastructure remains sparse but vital, featuring the West Fork Fire Tower for forest management and localized water controls like Tiger Cat Dam and West Fork Dam. For genealogists and local historians, the placement of the Spider Lake Sch and the small settlement of Currier offers a window into the isolated community life of the era.