Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-08-07
SKETCHES OF CHEBOYGAN
AND VICINITY.
NO II.

pTOpueCy OF Wlue enlargement ana SUD-
stantial growth. 1t is is situated in lati-
tude 45 deg. 45 min. north, and is about
twelve miles east of the central meridian
of the state. Its location is at the mouth
of the Cheboygan River, which empties
into an indentation in the shore known
as McLeod's Bay. The entrance of the
river is being made sufficiently deep and
wide to float and wind the largest lake
vessels. Including present contracts the
government has already expended in
dredging not less than $4,000, and the
work will probably be continued until
there is room for dozen wharfs on each
side the river. The village lies in full
view of large expanse of Lake Huron.
Directly opposite is the island of Bois
Blanc, which stretches in direction par
allel with the main shorefor fifteen miles.
Between the shores of the main land and
of the island the water has an average
width of seven miles, and forms the
south passage of the Straits of Macki-
nav. This is the most direct channel
connecting the waters of Lake Huron
with Lake Michigan, and with the nu-
merous vessels usually in sight form a
magnificent view. In front stretches the
white beach of Bois Blanc, with back
ground of dense evergreens, the tall pines
and hemlock standing in bold relief
against the sky. The atmosphere is usu-
ally very transparent, and is sometimes
in the condition which forms o mirage
(n,e rdzhe,, by which counterpart Of
the island seems floating in the air,
weaving fantastic shapes and waving
lines of reflected objects which assume
constantly changing forms, or slowly dis
appear. By this optical illusion the epass-
ing vessels appear voyaging in the air,
and the distant trees, cut midway in two,
vanish slowly away as if their branches
had become feathered wings. To the
right is Duncan's Bay, with its fine har-
Dor and projecting docks, which are
loaded with snug piles of lumber. The
tall smoke-stacks of the mills roll out the
murky breath of the hungry furnaces
which, after the manner of such, devour
saw dust with an appetite that would as
tonish Vulcan himself. Further to the
right and around point of land stands
the Cheboygan lighthouse, mounted with
a revolving lense of the fourth order.
Away to the lett in a northwesterly di-
rection, just beyond the extremity of
Bois Blanc, towers the outlines of Macki-
nav Island. On a clear day the snow
white walls of the fort and its buildings
are clearly seen, with the heights of Fort
Holmes and Robinson's Folly as back
ground, while farther to the left is the
narrow passage of the straits. Sea views
are rarely seen that are finer than those
beheld from the cupalas of Cheboygan.
AT distance of about three-fourths of
a mile from its mouth, the flow of the
river is arrested by dam which gives
about thirteen feet head, affording one of
the finest water powers in the state. But
a small fraction of the power is utilized
by the saw and Touring mills of Near
thur, Smith & Co. Locks prevent OBJ
struction to navigation, while over the
dam shute is formed for the passage of
logs for the mills below. The dam is
beneficial not only for the power afford
ed, but by increasing the depth of water
inland in several lakes and rivers which
together form rather remarkable Sc
ries. About three miles above the dam
is the junction of the Cheboygan and
Black Rivers. Between these points are
located three steam saw mills, and the
fourth is located about mile up Black
River. The river banks are high with
sloping ascent. The soil is a mixture
of gravel and clay, the latter predominant
ing. Thrifty crops and vigorous growth
Of timber give evidence of its fertility.
Ascending Black River, in southeast
direction, about twelve, miles Black Lake
is found, body Of water about ten miles
in length and six miles wide. Its east
ern shore is within about seven miles of
Hammond's Bay or Lake Huron.
Near Black Lake is Long Lake, which
empties into Black River. A citizen of
Cheboygan has secured its use for the
culture of white fish. Its waters lite
rally swarm with native varieties, afford
ing the finest OF angling. Ascending
the Cheboygan River about four miles
above the junction, the broad expanse
of Mullett's Lake appears in view. 1t is
a most beautiful sheet of water, about
twelve miles IN length and five in width.
Its waters are of crystal clearness and
abound with fish. The shores ascend
gradually, and beyond are successive
rises of ground covered with vigorous
growth of timber. At the head of Null
let's Lake is the entrance to Indian
River, which is three miles in length and
forms the connection between Mullett's
and Burt Lakes. The latter is twelve
miles in length and six miles wide. It'll
receives as tributaries Maple and Crooked
Rivers. Crooked River proceeds from a
lake Of the same name, which in turn
receives river which takes its rise
within one mile of Little Traverse Bay.
A small amount of dredging would open
this route for light draft boats into Lake
Michigan. Tributary to these lakes are
several rivers from the south which drain