1972 Map of Turtle River

About this map

The glacial waters of northern Minnesota dominate this 1970s orthophotomap, showing the interconnected network of Lake Bemidji, Turtle Lake, and Beltrami Lake. The landscape is a mix of dense timber and marshy lowlands, much of it preserved within the Buena Vista State Forest and Lake Bemidji State Park. Small settlements like Birchmont and Lavinia sit along the lakeshores, while the Burlington Northern railroad cuts a diagonal line through the southwestern corner. Local landmarks such as the Pine Ridge Cem and the Christenson Landing Field provide specific points of reference for genealogists and local historians. The presence of numerous Gravel Pits scattered across the township indicates the importance of local material extraction for maintaining the area's light-duty road network.