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.