1986 Map of Vanderbilt

About this map

The village of Vanderbilt sits at the southern edge of this mid-1980s landscape, serving as a gateway to the dense timberlands of the Mackinaw State Forest. The geography is defined by a network of glacial lakes and shifting waterways, most notably the Sturgeon River and its West Branch, which carve through the Watson Hills. The area's industrial and transit history is etched into the terrain by an Old Railroad Grade and several resource extraction sites, including a Gravel Pit and Sand Pit. Local history researchers will find several well-defined landmarks, from the Cem near the village to secluded water bodies like Thumb Lake and Lake Eighteen. The map illustrates a transitional period where former timber rail lines were becoming part of the recreational landscape within the boundaries of Chandler, Corwith, and Hudson townships.