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1951 Map of Virginia

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Virginia
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Virginia and Mountain Iron serve as the industrial anchors of this early 1950s survey, illustrating the intensive iron ore extraction that defined the Mesabi Range. The landscape is a dense network of massive excavations and supporting infrastructure, featuring the Wacootah Mine, Alpena Mine, and the Minorca Mine. This industrial footprint is intertwined with civic life, shown through established residential areas like Franklin and Parkville, alongside several local schools including Horace Mann Sch and Washington Sch.

Crossing the rugged terrain is the Laurentian Divide, a significant continental water parting that separates the northern wilderness of the Superior National Forest from the mining districts to the south. Transport of ore is facilitated by a complex rail system including the Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific and the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range. This map provides a detailed view of the Iron Range's peak mid-century operations, where pits, mine dumps, and tailings ponds sit directly adjacent to the growing urban centers.