At one time a bustling industrial town, Fayette manufactured charcoal pig iron for Great Lakes steel companies throughout the late nineteenth century. At one time boasting a population of nearly 500 residents, the town was abandoned by the Jackson Iron Company in the 1890's.
Today you can tour residences which housed the original inhabitants of Fayette, replicas of public buildings, and the ruins of the original iron-smelting furnace. Kids will enjoy the refurbished general store, hotel and the children's buildingwhere they can play with real toys from the late 1800s and sit in anold-fashioned school desk. Horse-drawn carriage and walking tours are availabledaily during the summer.
When you're done with the history lessons, there's plenty of outdoor fun to be had, too. Fayette offers about seven miles of hiking trails, boating, fishing, scuba diving, a sandy beach and 80 campsites.
Fayette Historic Town Site is located bout 1.5 hours west of Manistique. From U.S. Highway 2, East of Escanaba, take Highway 183 south for 17 miles to the park entrance. You can get visitor information by writing to 13700 13.25 Lane, Garden, Michigan 49835, or calling 906-644-2603.
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