Christmas at Fayette in 1878

Last time we learned about an incident at a turkey shoot on Thanksgiving Day 1879. 

From the Escanaba Iron Port of January 11, 1879, we learn about an accident at a turkey shoot that took place on Christmas Day of 1878:

"We regret to learn that Capt. Colwell, of the tug Joe Harris, met with quite a severe accident at a turkey shoot given at Fayette on Christmas day.  It appears that while waiting for his turn to shoot, the Captain had rested his Winchester rifle on his foot, muzzle downward.  In some unaccountable manner it was discharged.  The ball went partially between the toes, but the wound was very much lacerated and burnt by the closeness of the gun.  He is now doing as well as could be expected, but it may lay him up some time yet."

Kind of makes you wonder about the Fayette men of yesteryear and their marksmanship skills.

Thanksgiving Day, 1879, at Fayette

When we think of the olden days and men going out to shoot a turkey for Thanksgiving Day, we envision them heading off into the woods, rifles in tow, tracking the whereabouts of Mr. Tom and carefully taking aim.

You’d think that could have happened at Fayette during the company town era from 1867-1891, and indeed turkeys were shot there, but it’s not what you expect.

At Fayette, they had a rifle club and a range and some live turkeys. They fastened the birds, one at a time, to a target, and then someone took aim and killed the bird. Not exactly sporting.

In 1879, evidently the weather did not cooperate for the annual Thanksgiving Day turkey shoot. The newspaper reported that due to an all-day rain, half the turkeys provided for the shoot were left at the end of the day and were to be auctioned off on Saturday night.

In addition, a “close call” was reported as follows in the Escanaba Iron Port issued on November 29, 1879.

“One of the men attending target on Thursday [Thanksgiving Day] had a very close call.  He was kneeling at the target fastening a turkey, when a shootist let drive and killed the bird in his hands.  He didn’t tend target any more, fancying the occupation unhealthy.”

So there you go. That’s how it was done at Fayette.

Picturing Fayette

Here's our newest fundraising project!

We've just published a photo book about Fayette Historic Townsite. All profits will go to our Friends of Fayette Historic Townsite treasury.

Perhaps you've been to Fayette and taken photos of the townsite. Here's a collection all in one book--winter, summer, spring, and fall photos of the buildings and harbor from many different angles. And something more that you don't have in your collection: captions taken from historic newspapers about the activities occurring in the buildings, in the harbor, at the furnace, with the town doctor. Here's what one reviewer had to say about Picturing Fayette:

I visited Fayette many years ago, but when I read this book, I found myself wondering why I have stayed away so long. This beautiful book is not a complete history but a short collection of photographs of the various buildings at Fayette. Multiple photos are provided for each building, and I especially love that they were taken at all different seasons of the year so we see the glory of spring, the splendor of autumn, and the deep snows of winter. The various buildings all have descriptions for them and as a nice addition, they include excerpts from various newspapers in the surrounding area--Negaunee, Escanaba, etc.--recording different events that happened that relate to the individual buildings as well as in the harbor, ranging from drownings to accidents and horses kicking people in the skull to doctors holding raffles and disputes at township elections. These excerpts make the life of this small town come to life, and the photographs made me almost expect to see the 1870s residents of the town to open the building's doors and recreate their life before my eyes. Anyone who loves Fayette will love this book and how it captures so many views and different angles of this fascinating company town.--Tyler R. Tichelaar, author of several titles about Marquette, Michigan

Here's a little more about Picturing Fayette

Fayette Historic Townsite in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan offers visitors a step back in time to a nineteenth century company town. Here, nestled beneath a towering limestone bluff on Lake Michigan, the Jackson Iron Company operated two iron smelting furnaces. From December 25, 1867 to December 1, 1890, hot iron poured forth into casting houses, was cooled and separated into “pigs”, and shipped to Ohio aboard schooners. Today, several original structures give testimony to Michigan’s industrial past—from the laborers’ log cabin, to the managers’ salt box homes, to the “Big White House” on the bluff that was occupied by the superintendent. In the center of all these stands the working core of the once-thriving village—the furnace stacks, casting houses, company store, warehouse, town hall, company office, machine shop, and hotel. Through the pages of this book, tour this fascinating open air museum that offers million-dollar views of the harbor, bay, and quaint remnants from nearly 150 years ago. Quotes from newspapers of that era serve as captions, bringing the town to life. Fayette Historic Townsite is without a doubt one of the best-preserved company towns in America and a gem of Michigan history that is unlike any other.

ISBN 978-0-923048-54-9 Trade Paperback, 8.5"x8.5"; 24 full-color pages.
CLICK HERE TO SEE INSIDE THE BOOK
CLICK HERE TO ORDER PAPERBACK FROM AMAZON ($9.50 and free shipping with Amazon Prime)
CLICK HERE TO ORDER KINDLE FROM AMAZON

Improvements at Fayette!

Work is underway to replace the hotel roof. Improvements to building #9 (the last photo shown below) will soon begin. Although the Friends of Fayette Historic Townsite have not contributed funding to these projects, we thought you'd like to peek at the progress in the old village. These photos were shot on October 10 and 11.

Fall at Fayette - The Apples are Ripe!

Have you ever wondered why there are so many "wild" apple trees at Fayette? 

Back in 1879, an apple tree salesman paid a visit. His appearance was reported in the Escanaba paper.



Iron Port, Escanaba
September 27, 1879
Moulson & Son’s man has been taking orders for fruit trees on this side. He has sold to everybody. We shall raise our own fruit after this, and cooning will be a popular amusement.

"Cooning" was picking apples from trees that didn't belong to you. (A typical raccoon behavior.)

Friends of Fayette Double Donations

Friends treasurer Donna Winters and Park Supervisor Randy Brown are all smiles over doubling donations for a replacement fence at Fayette Historic Townsite.

If you have visited Fayette Historic Townsite within the last few years, you probably noticed that the fence behind the furnace needs replacing. This project has been discussed for several years but no funding or labor was available. 

Now, with the new Recreational Passport system in place for the state park system, funding has become available for such projects. Earlier this year, the Friends of Fayette Historic Townsite submitted an application to the DNR and it was accepted for the fence replacement project which will cost approximately $11,000 in total. The Friends have sent their half of the money to the State of Michigan which will set up an account for the fence. The DNR will add a matching amount and work on the project is expected to be completed before the snow flies.

Thanks to all our committed donors who have faithfully supported our efforts! We are highly encouraged by the results of our joint efforts to make a difference in the beauty and safety of the townsite!

June 15, Christmas in June at Fayette

Christmas in June at Fayette

If you decide to go

WHAT:  Annual Christmas in June event

WHEN:  Saturday, June 15th, 11 A.M. to 3 P.M.

WHERE:  Fayette Historic State Park

LOOK FOR:  The theme for this year's Christmas

                                 in June event is all things Hawaiian

For more information

CALL:

906-644-2603   

Fayette maritime history

                     Fayette Maritime History

           Did you know that the Jackson Iron Company had its own fleet of ships to service the needs of Fayette?  They owned the schooners “Fayette Brown” and “J.B. Kitchen”, the tugs “S. S. Rummage” and “Jo Harris” and six scows.    

Here is an actual photograph of the schooner "J. B. Kitchen" under sail.

Rumors From the Past

 For all you Fayette History buffs, and I hope there are many, enjoy this authentic newspaper article from 1890 on the rumors surrounding the closing of Fayette.

The Mining Journal

December 13, 1890

Noting that the Jackson Iron Company’s furnace at Fayette has closed down for the season, the Escanaba Calumet states that the rumor is again current there that the suspension is permanent, and that no more pig iron will be made at that point.  In corroboration of this it is reported that the Jackson company has already begun removing some of the equipment of the furnace to Negaunee, where its mine is located, presumably with the intention of putting in a furnace plant there.  Nothing definite can be learned of the purpose of the company in the matter, the Calumet says, but it is known that the expense of obtaining fuel at Fayette has been excessive for some years past in consequence of the denudation of the country in the vicinity, and the paper is evidently of the opinion that the plant will be removed from that point to some other where the difficulty of procuring will not be so great an obstacle the way of the successful operations of the furnace.  If the furnace is removed from Fayette it is very probable that it will go to Negaunee, which would be an excellent location for it, as the company would be able to secure an ample supply of fuel there at all times and would save considerable on the transportation of the ore, while the difference in the haul on its product would be but trifling.

Note: Fayette was officially closed in 1891

Historic Company Store News

 

 

Fayette Company Store on left, Snail Shell Harbor and limestone bluff ahead

Let's all drift back in time to February 11, 1882 and learn what's new at the Fayette Company Store.  According to the Schoolcraft County Pioneer (the Manistique newspaper):

"E.S. Gagnon, of Escanaba, visited this place with a splendid assortment of jewelry, and has done well, he went home again on Tuesday, but intends to be back so as to be at Manistique about masquerade time.  If you want any jewelry buy from Gagnon, and you will get a good article, and at a remarkably low price."

In case you are wondering, masquerade time refers to costume balls held in various towns in the Upper Peninsula in the 1880s.

For your entertainment here are some Company Store prices from 1882: broom-25 cents, shoes-$2.00, 1 lb dried apples-50 cents, glycerine soap-20 cents per bar,  12 bars plain soap-$1.00,  3 lbs coffee-90 cents,  3 lbs of butter-$1.05,  shirt-$1.40,  slacks-75 cents,  one ax-$2.00,  one gallon of oil-25 cents,  1 lb raisins-18 cents,  5 lbs sugar-55 cents,  1 lb tea-$1.10,  1/2 gal pickles-13 cents,  flannel-35 cents per yard,  washboard-25 cents,  can of peaches-25 cents, crosscut saw-$5.20,  shawl-$9.00,  mirror-55 cents,  mittens-$1.10,  boots-$5.00,  small lamp-50 cents,  jacket-75 cents,  fine comb-10 cents.

Lantern-Lit Trail Event at Fayette Jan. 26

 Whether you prefer 
cross-country skiing snowshoeing
or hiking
 you can join the fun at Fayette Historic State Park on Saturday, January 26, 6-8 PM. 

Hot chocolate and marshmallows will be provided around a crackling campfire.

Admission is by Michigan State Park Recreation Passport. 

For more information, call the park office at (906)644-2603