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1959 Map of Rice Lake

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Rice Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Rice Lake and the surrounding timberlands of Northwest Wisconsin are meticulously documented in this late 1950s survey. The landscape is defined by its massive water systems, notably the Chippewa River and Flambeau River, which supported the region's historical logging industry. The map illustrates a developed mid-century infrastructure where the Soo Line RR and Chicago and North Western Ry intersect with arterial highways like U S 53 and U S 8, connecting industrial hubs like Ladysmith and Phillips.

Large protected tracts including the Chequamegon National Forest and the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation contrast with the grid-patterned agricultural and township development in Barron County and Rusk County. Topographical highlights such as the Blue Hills and Meteor Hill stand out against the many glacial basins like Lac Courte Oreilles and Lake Chippewa, providing a clear view of the transition between the farmed southern prairies and the dense northern forests.