1956 Map of Split Rock Point

About this map

The Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a prominent landmark on this rugged Lake Superior shoreline, marking a dangerous stretch of coast between Little Two Harbors and Islet Bay. Surveyed in the mid-1950s, the map reveals a landscape defined by the steep descent of North Shore rivers, including the Gooseberry River and the complex drainage of the Split Rock River with its east and west branches. The inclusion of Gooseberry Falls State Park highlights the early development of this region for public recreation, while the Old RR Grade winding through Silver Creek serves as a tangible reminder of the area's logging and industrial history. From the small settlement at Castle Danger to the offshore hazards of Gooseberry Reef, the sheet captures the intersection of maritime safety, resource extraction, and the emerging tourism of the Minnesota Arrowhead region.