Welcome to Cheboygan County
Although Frenchmen were the first recorded white men in the Cheboygan area in the late 1600's, the area was originally inhabited by the Chippewa Indians. Settlers did not arrive until 1844, and even then the county's growth was slow until the first sawmill was built in the 1870's. With the sawmill came a lumbering boom that tripled the population within ten years.
Cheboygan County boasts an extensive system of connecting inland lakes and rivers, which allows boaters to navigate through Mullett and Burt Lakes, and access several towns such as Indian River and Topinabee. Native Americans used this inland water route for centuries, from which the county acquired its name, which literally means: "Water of the Chippewa." Today it is used exclusively for recreation.
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Cheboygan County's main industries are tourism, farming, commercial fishing, paper, wood, and metal fabrication and limestone. The county seat, Cheboygan, has a coast guard base and hosts the Northern Michigan Fair.
Indian River - Indian River is located in southern Cheboygan County in Tuscarora Township.
This town originated with Floyd E. Martin who moved here in 1878, the first to buy land. Situated strategically between Burt and Mullett Lakes, it was an ideal distribution and gathering point for lumber cut from the surrounding area. It received a post office a year later and eventually became a station on the Michigan Central Railway line.
Named after the river flowing through it, which is a channel between Burt and Mullett Lakes, Indian River today is a quality resort area with many diversified businesses, tourist shops and restaurants. It is also home to the largest crucifix in Michigan, which can be seen just south of town. The lakes and river, however, continue to attract visitors from all over the midwest, offering boaters many options to view some of the best-of-the-best of Michigan’s great water wonderland!
Topinabee - Topinabee, (pronounced: TOP ‘n-uh-bee), is located on beautiful Mullett Lake in Mullett Township. This Cheboygan County town was founded in 1881 by executives of the Michigan Central Railroad. H. H. Pike built a hotel here that year and helped platt the village, naming it after Potawattomi Chief Topinabee. Today, Topinabee retains its small town atmosphere with a store, post office, township hall and city park on the lake, serving the surrounding resorts. It is easily accessed off I-75 at M-27.
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