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1958 Map of Tawas City

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Tawas City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Huron National Forest dominates this mid-century landscape, framing the industrial and maritime activity along the Western Shore. Along the coast, the Detroit and Mackinac RR serves as a vital artery, connecting timber and mining towns like Oscoda, Tawas City, and Alabaster where a bucket cable line extends into the bay. The map documents a significant military presence at the Wurtsmith Bombing and Gunnery Range, reflecting the era's Cold War strategic importance.

Maritime history is etched into the shoreline with several active beacons including Lighthouse Sturgeon Point, Lighthouse Tawas Point, and the Lighthouse Charity Island in Saginaw Bay. From the northern reaches of Thunder Bay down to the tip of Point Aux Barques, the map tracks the intersection of the Au Sable River and the expanding road network, providing a clear view of Michigan's recreational and industrial evolution in the late 1950s.