A Living Piece of Great Lakes History Continues to Power Cheboygan’s Future

Cheboygan, MI — The Ottawa Tug is more than a vessel; it is a floating chapter of Cheboygan’s maritime story and a powerful reminder of how history, generosity, and community come together to shape the future.

Built in 1914, the Ottawa began its life transporting passengers across the Great Lakes before evolving into a hardworking tug that served the region for decades. From ferrying travelers to supporting industrial and maritime work, the vessel has adapted alongside the communities it served, much like Cheboygan itself.

The Cheboygan County Community Foundation is grateful to Ward and Mari Margaret Walstrom for their generosity. They donated the Ottawa Tug to the Foundation, and the vessel was sold the same day to the Singer family, resulting in a $10,000 contribution to support the Foundation’s mission. A previous newsletter misstated this information, and the Foundation appreciates the opportunity to clarify and properly recognize this gift.

The Ottawa Tug remains a symbol of resilience and craftsmanship, continuing to inspire community pride beyond its working years. Now owned by the Singer family of Klings Auto Recycling, its legacy is being preserved with care and respect for its role in Great Lakes history.

Stories like the Ottawa Tug remind us that preserving our past fuels our future. Individual acts of generosity, like the Walstroms’ contribution, help the Cheboygan County Community Foundation invest in projects that strengthen local nonprofits, support families, and build lasting opportunity across Cheboygan County.

By donating to the Foundation, you become part of this story. Your support helps protect the heritage that defines us while creating new possibilities for generations to come. Just as the Ottawa Tug has endured for more than a century, your generosity can have a lasting impact well beyond today.

To learn more about how you can support the Cheboygan County Community Foundation and be part of Cheboygan’s next chapter, visit www.cheboyganfoundation.org.

Source: Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats. (n.d.). Ottawa. https://gltugs.wordpress.com/ottawa/