CHEBOYGAN

city, seat (1853) of Cheboygan county, northern Michigan, U.S. The city lies along the Cheboygan River as it enters Lake Huron near the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac. According to some reports, the site was an Indian camping ground until it was settled by Jacob Sammons in the 1840s. It was first called Duncan and then Inverness, later adopting Cheboygan, an Indian word possibly meaning Chippewa water. It developed as a lumbering centre and commercial fishing port, but with the decline of both resources it turned to tourism and manufacturing. South of the city is Michigan's Inland Waterway, comprising many streams and lakes (including Mullett, Black, and Burt lakes) with boating and fishing facilities. The Cheboygan area is known for its fresh air and low pollen count. It is the site of the Northern Michigan State Fair (August) and the Cheboygan 250, a popular snowmobile race (January). Inc. village, 1871; city, 1889. Pop. (1992 est.) 4,955.