1960 Map of Tait Lake

About this map

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness defines the northern reaches of this landscape, where a intricate network of glacial lakes and portage-connected waterways dominates the terrain. This 1960s-era survey reveals the convergence of several managed woodlands, including the Pat Bayle State Forest and the Superior National Forest, highlighting the transition from protected wilderness to state-managed timberlands. The hydrological pattern is anchored by Lutsen Lake and the Tait River, with numerous smaller bodies like Mistletoe Lake and Roast Lake scattered across the upland plateaus. To the south, the North Shore State Trail skirts the edge of Pike Lake, indicating early recreational development and access into this dense forest environment. Evidence of local industry and road building appears in several scattered gravel pits near Mississippi Creek, while the presence of the State Kinogami Lake Wilderness Forest Boundary underscores the complex land management of the Cook County interior.