The Ghosts of Fayette
Fayette is a "ghost town" in Upper Michigan.
Fayette, a "company town" that was active from 1867-1891, controlled all aspects of the workers' lives. They rented rooms in the company houses, bought food and supplies in the company store, saw the company dentist, and of course, labored in the company mill or supplied services to the other company workers. Not much money was left over for "savings" or for other personal uses.
When more economical methods of extracting iron from the iron ore of Michigan's mines, Fayette quickly disappeared, but the well-built buildings stood the test of time. Cedar from local sources, and dolomite from the nearby cliffs were very durable materials.
Today, Fayette is being restored as a Michigan Historic State Park.
The Ghosts of Fayette
Fayette is a "ghost town" in Upper Michigan.
Fayette, a "company town" that was active from 1867-1891, controlled all aspects of the workers' lives. They rented rooms in the company houses, bought food and supplies in the company store, saw the company dentist, and of course, labored in the company mill or supplied services to the other company workers. Not much money was left over for "savings" or for other personal uses.
When more economical methods of extracting iron from the iron ore of Michigan's mines, Fayette quickly disappeared, but the well-built buildings stood the test of time. Cedar from local sources, and dolomite from the nearby cliffs were very durable materials.
Today, Fayette is being restored as a Michigan Historic State Park.