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1955 Map of Witch Lake

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Witch Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Lake Michigamme and a dense network of water bodies dominate this mid-century look at the Upper Peninsula's interior, where the borders of Baraga, Iron, and Marquette counties converge. The landscape is defined by the massive Iron Range State Forest and Michigamme State Forest, reflecting a region dedicated to timber and mineral management. Transport routes for these industries are clearly marked, including the Milwaukee Road and the Chicago and North Western railroads which facilitated the movement of resources through the remote Northwoods.

Small pockets of settlement like Witbeck and Witch Lake appear alongside numerous named lakes such as Fence Lake, Dishno Lake, and Wahlstrom Lake. The presence of several Railroad Grades suggests a landscape in transition, where earlier logging or mining spurs were being reclaimed by the forest. This survey provides a precise accounting of the hydrological system, tracing the path of the Fence River and dozens of isolated lakes that define the character of this Michigan wilderness.