1956 Map of Vermilion Dam

About this map

The Vermilion River snakes through a complex water-and-island landscape in this mid-century survey of St. Louis County. This map documents a critical hydrologic and recreational hub, anchored by the infrastructure of the Gaging Station Vermilion Dam and the Vermilion Dam Lookout Tower. The landscape is dominated by the sprawling reaches of Lake Vermilion, where deep-water inlets like Wolf Bay, Smart Bay, and Frazer Bay are separated by significant landmasses including Hinsdale Island and Oak Island. The area reflects a convergence of public lands, with boundaries for the Superior National Forest, Kabetogama State Forest, and Vermilion Lake State Forest all meeting here. Local markers of human presence are concentrated at the Vermilion Dam Club and various points along the shoreline such as Breezy Point and Moccasin Point.