1981 Map of Smoky Lake

About this map

Smoky Lake and Big Sand Lake anchor this glaciated landscape along the border of Michigan and Wisconsin during the early 1980s. The map illustrates a recreation-oriented transition in land use, where the northern expanse within the Ottawa National Forest and the southern portion within the Nicolet National Forest are punctuated by several smaller water bodies such as Bearpaw Lake and Jewel Lake. Evidence of local infrastructure is concentrated around the larger lakes, featuring a Golf Course, multiple Boat Ramps, and the Phelps Municipal Landing Strip. The presence of several Gravel Pits and the winding course of Elvoy Creek near Elvoy Springs suggest the region's underlying geological and hydrological character. This survey provides a distinct record of the jurisdictional boundaries between Gogebic, Iron, Vilas, and Forest counties at a time when the region's wilderness character was increasingly managed for public access.