Steamer Topinabee at Devil's Elbow, Michigan Postcard

Steamer Topinabee at Devil's Elbow, Inland Route, Michigan vintage post card restored and enhanced by Scenes from the Past. The Inland Route today comprises the waters of: Crooked Lake, Crooked River, Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullet Lake, and the Cheboygan River. The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad (G.R.&I.) reached Petoskey in October 1873. The regular train service to the area brought settlers, lumbermen, and the first tourists to the areas around the Inland Route. In 1903 a steamboat traveled daily from Oden to Cheboygan during the navigation season. By far, the most popular vessel of them all was the shallow draft, double decked, "Steamer Topinabee". Piloted by Mr. Hamill, who, falsely marketed himself as a grandson of Chief Petoskey. A typical trip itinerary would include: Board the Steamer Topinabee in Oden, make stops in Pon-she-wa-ing, Alanson, Sagers Resort, Columbus Landing, Indian River, Topinabee (for Dinner), Cheboygan, terminus Mackinac Island. A similar trip was the inverse of this schedule. At other times The Topinabee also included stops at The Inn at Conway (Conway House, Inland House).