1953 Map of Payne

About this map

The Duluth Missabe and Iron Range railroad bisects this section of St. Louis County, serving as a primary corridor through the lowlands north of the Iron Range. The small settlement of Payne sits at a junction with the Burlington Northern line, while the community of Bireh is located further south. This landscape is defined by its water and industry, with the Little Whiteface River and Jenkins Cr draining into extensive wetland areas. Resource extraction is evident near the center of the quadrangle, where several Gravel Pits are located. To the northeast, Nichols Lake and Lake Williams break the dense forest cover, while Maple Leaf Lake sits in the southwestern corner. The map reflects a period when these rail lines were vital for transporting materials across the northern Minnesota wilderness between smaller outposts like Alborn and Payne.