Matthew J. Friday

Cheboygan (Postcard History: Michigan) Matthew J. Friday

In the fall of 1844, an entrepreneur named Alexander McLeod made his way up a shallow river in far northern Michigan with the idea of building a lumber mill. He discovered that the region around the Cheboygan River would be a suitable location. McLeod built a small cabin for himself, and the following spring the first permanent settler, Jacob Sammons, arrived. McLeod's employees and other businessmen followed with their families. The settlers improved the river, and Cheboygan became a booming lumber town. Along with the growth came grocers, bankers, saloonkeepers, laborers, doctors, and other pioneers. Colorful characters and beautiful buildings graced Cheboygan's bustling downtown. When the lumber ran out and the mills closed, residents sought a new identity. Tourism and industry led the way, and Cheboygan is enjoyed throughout the year. This collection of images of Cheboygan and the surrounding area highlights its birth and growth from boomtown to vacation destination.