1955 Map of Ralph NE

About this map

The Upper Peninsula wilderness of Sturgeon River State Forest and Michigan State Forest dominates this mid-1950s survey of the boundary between Marquette and Dickinson counties. The landscape is a complex network of wetlands and hydraulic systems, defined by the winding paths of the West Branch Escanaba River and the upper reaches of the North Branch Ford River. Human presence is sparse and functional, centered around resource management and backcountry access. Significant landmarks include the Escanaba River Lookout Tower and the remote Wild Run Landing Field located near Flat Rock Creek. Numerous small water bodies, such as Van Derlin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, punctuate the heavily forested terrain, while labels for McGregor Creek and Schwartz Creek reveal the fine drainage patterns of this secluded region.