1954 Map of Traverse City

About this map

Traverse City and the northern lower peninsula of Michigan are mapped here during a period of mid-century growth and conservation. The landscape is defined by its massive state and national forests, including the Huron National Forest and Manistee National Forest, which dominate the central and eastern portions of the quadrangle. This 1950s data reveals a robust transportation network before the expansion of the modern interstate system, showing the prominent role of the Pennsylvania RR and Ann Arbor RR in connecting lakeside communities like Beulah and Frankfort. The map captures the significant presence of the Camp Grayling Military Reservation and the burgeoning recreation areas around Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake. Coastal details such as Sleeping Bear Plateau and Grand Traverse Bay underscore the region's reliance on its maritime geography and growing post-war tourism industry.