Cheboygan is an Indian name meaning "Through Passage", referring to the Cheboygan River and Inland Route. The Cheboygan River, site of numerous Indian camping grounds and entrance to the Inland Route, was the traditional boundary line between the Ottawa and the Chippewa Indian tribes long before the first European settlers arrived. Early settlers came to Cheboygan to engage in the lumbering, fishing, manufacturing, farming, livery, blacksmithing, flour milling" and other related businesses. Cheboygan 'boomed' until the late 1890's due mostly to the lucrative lumbering, shipping, and fishing industries. When Cheboygan became a City, January 29,1889, it was a busy bustling community. Cheboygan, nicknamed 'Hub City' at that time was advertised as a 'Gateway to the North'. Then Cheboygan received the nickname of 'Old Rivertown'. Today Cheboygan has taken on a more of a Victorian theme. At the turn of the century, as the lumber industry quickly declined, people either left for different areas or sought new means of making a living. After many industries tried and failed, tourism became the principle business of Cheboygan until the 1950's. Today, it has many diversified industries and tourism continues to flourish. Information was supplied by the Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce
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