1952 Map of Watersmeet

About this map

The Ottawa National Forest in the mid-century is dominated by the sprawling Bond Falls Flowage and the junction of major rail lines that once powered the Upper Peninsula's timber and transit economy. The Chicago and North Western and the South Shore and Atlantic railroads intersect at Watersmeet, a key local hub near the Ontonagon and Gogebic county line. The landscape is characterized by its numerous water features, including Agate Falls and Mex-i-min-i Falls, alongside small settlements like Paulding and Craigsmere. Local history is preserved in the locations of the Maple Grove Sch and Maple Grove Cem, providing a clear view of the rural community structure before the modern expansion of forest roads and changes in land management.