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2023 Map of Willard

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Willard
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Agricultural lands and a complex network of drainage systems characterize this portion of Bay County, where the North Branch Kawkawlin River meanders through the central terrain. Small rural crossroads and communities such as Willard, Beaver, and Loehme anchor the landscape, reflecting a long-standing pattern of dispersed settlement and family-owned farms. The area is defined by its water management history, evidenced by dozens of named channels like Morrison Drain, Kowalski Drain, and Shinbines Drain, which were essential for converting the low-lying terrain into productive acreage.

Genealogists and local historians can trace legacy sites through several established burial grounds, including Beaver Cem, Zion Cem, and the Saint Valentine Catholic Cem. The community focus is particularly evident at Three Churches Corner, a distinctive landmark in the eastern section of the map. In the southern reaches, North Williams and the waters of Perry Creek mark the transition toward the neighboring townships, providing a detailed look at the rural infrastructure of the early twenty-first century.