1956 Map of Soudan

About this map

The Soudan Mine anchors this mid-century look at the eastern Vermilion Iron Range, illustrating the industrial footprint on the landscape of Breitung and Kugler townships. The Duluth Missabe and Iron Range railroad serves as the primary artery through the corridor, connecting the settlements of Soudan and Murray. South of the mining operations, the terrain transitions into a dense network of wetlands and waterways within the State Forest, including the winding paths of Owens Creek and the East River. To the north, the intricate shoreline of Lake Vermilion is defined by numerous bays and islands, such as Stuntz Bay and Timber Island. Notable landmarks like the Lookout Tower on Jasper Peak provide distinct points of reference over a landscape where heavy extraction and forest management exist in close proximity. The map reveals the precise layout of the La Rue Mines and various named water bodies like Fivemile Lake that define this northern Minnesota interior.