2019 Map of Sister Lakes

About this map

Magician Lake and its surrounding waters define this landscape where the boundaries of Van Buren, Berrien, and Cass counties converge. The glacial topography is dominated by an intricate chain of lakes and wetlands, including Dewey Lake, Cable Lake, and Crooked Lake, which supported the development of resort communities like Woodland Beach and Sandy Beach. For genealogists, the map is particularly detailed regarding burial sites, documenting several rural locations including Keeler Cem near the settlement of Keeler, the Zion Evangelical Cem, and the uniquely named Ely Graves. To the south, the terrain transitions into the Dowagiac Swamp and follows the course of the Dowagiac River. Landforms within the lakes, such as Maple Island and Rattlesnake Island, provide specific landmarks for those studying the evolution of these lakeside summer colonies.