This image was taken from Ott’s Boathouse at Walbridge Park and shows a variety of leisure vessels on the Maumee River around 1900-1902. Canoes and rowboats could be rented from Ott’s Boathouse and the Maumee River was also a popular location for sailing vessels and other pleasure boats. Click here to learn about the Maumee River Yacht Club, just upriver.
The only identifiable vessel in the photograph is the Cygnet. The Cygnet was a steam powered yacht, likely owned by William Gates, owner of Gates’ Union Ticket Office, which arranged tickets for passengers on railways and passenger ships. Research shows that Gates owned a steam yacht named Cygnet in 1906 and was part of the Toledo Yacht Club, possibly even acting as Commodore. Click here to see an image of the Toledo Yacht Club in 1936.
