1959 Map of White Cloud

About this map

White Cloud serves as the focal point of this Newaygo County landscape, situated at the junction of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and several regional routes. The map reveals a transition from the agricultural clearings in the south, dotted with landmarks like East Denver Ch and Walker Sch, to the dense woodlands of the Manistee National Forest in the north. This forested region is characterized by an extensive network of small glacial lakes, including Bitely Lake, Nichols Lake, and Merrill Lake, many of which supported established summer communities such as Woodland Park and Bitely. Industrial activity is evident in the Huber Oil Field and numerous scattered Gravel Pits, while the presence of the Beaver Lookout Tower underscores the ongoing management of the timberlands. Rural life is well-documented through a high density of country schools like Donahue Sch and local burial grounds including Hillers Cem.