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1956 Map of Vermilion Dam

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Vermilion Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Lake Vermilion and its intricate northern shoreline dominate this mid-century survey, revealing a landscape defined by water and woods. The infrastructure of the Vermilion River is carefully documented, featuring the Gaging Station and the Vermilion Dam Lookout Tower, which served as critical points for forestry and water management during the 1950s. The map illustrates a complex network of bays and channels, including Kabetogama Bay and Wolf Bay, separated by islands like Knotts Island and Hinsdale Island.

This era of the Superior National Forest shows the area primarily as a managed wilderness, with the Vermilion Dam Club marking one of the few named community landmarks. The topography, compiled from 1954 aerial photography, captures the precise transition from the lake's surface to the rocky points of Moccasin Point and Grassy Point, providing a detailed view of the terrain before later modern developments.