1960 Map of South Lake

About this map

The United States Canada border cuts through a dense landscape of interconnected waterways and portage routes in this 1960 survey of Cook County. The Height of Land Portage serves as a critical geographic marker between South Lake and North Lake, while the legacy of early infrastructure is visible in the Railroad Grade and Railroad Portage near Little North Lake. This region, split between the Superior National Forest and the Minnesota State Forest, highlights the transition from industrial extraction to managed wilderness. Settlement is sparse, with recreation represented by the Iron Lake Campground and travel facilitated by the Gunflint Trail. The map meticulously details depth curves for major bodies like Gunflint Lake and Mayhew Lake, providing a comprehensive view of the hydrography that defined the area's timber and transit history.