1956 Map of Onekama

About this map

Bear Lake and the coastal expanse of Portage Lake anchor this mid-century look at Manistee County. The landscape is a study in northern Michigan transition, where the Fife Lake State Forest and agricultural clearing meet the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The era's transportation network is dominated by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, which serves settlements like Onekama, Kaleva, and Onekama Junction. Significant genealogical interest is found in the scattering of country schools and rural cemeteries, such as Pilgrim Home Cem and Browntown Cem. The map identifies several schoolhouses as no longer active, including Myers Sch and Kilborn Sch, reflecting a post-war consolidation of rural education. Unique landmarks like the Indian Village and Indian Mound near the Manistee River offer a glimpse into the documented cultural history of the region.