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1949 Map of Otsego Lake

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Otsego Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Otsego Lake dominates this northern Michigan landscape, where mid-century recreation meets sprawling timberlands and military activity. The New York Central railroad tracks run parallel to the western shore, connecting the lakeside communities of Arbutus Beach, Oak Grove, and Pearl City. Public land use is a defining characteristic of the region, as indicated by the convergence of the Pigeon River State Forest, Au Sable State Forest, and the northern reaches of Hartwick Pines State Park.

Tracing the waters of the North Branch Au Sable River, the map reveals a network of landings and secluded lakes like Turtle Lake and Big Bass Lake. In the southern half, the Camp Grayling Military Reservation spans across the Otsego and Crawford County line, punctuated by family-named landmarks such as Lothrop Hill and Rosecrans Hill. Small rural identifiers like the Otsego Lake Cem and the Township Hall near Waters provide essential touchstones for local genealogical research.