Fairbanks Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fairbanks Township, Michigan
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Fayette Historic State Park within Fairbanks Township along Big Bay de Noc
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Location within Delta County
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 Fairbanks Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Fairbanks Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Delta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 299.2 sq mi (775.0 km2) |
| • Land | 47.2 sq mi (122.2 km2) |
| • Water | 252.0 sq mi (652.8 km2) |
| Elevation | 581 ft (177 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 297 |
| • Density | 0.9926/sq mi (0.3832/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49835
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-26960 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1625139 |
Fairbanks Township is a small area in Delta County, Michigan. It is a type of local government area called a civil township. In 2020, about 297 people lived here. This was a small increase from 281 people in 2010.
Contents
Towns and Villages in Fairbanks Township
Fairbanks Township is home to a few small communities. These places are not officially separate towns but are groups of homes and businesses.
Fayette: A Historic Iron Town
Fayette is a community located on the eastern shore of Big Bay de Noc. This bay opens into Green Bay on Lake Michigan. Fayette is at the end of M-183, a state highway. It is about eight miles south of Garden. Today, Fayette is part of the Fayette Historic State Park. It was first built in 1867 around a factory that made iron.
Fairport: A Fishing Village
Fairport is another community at the southern tip of the Garden Peninsula. It is about six miles south of Fayette. Fairport was started in 1886 by fishermen. They moved there from St. Martin Island. This community became an important place for commercial fishing.
History of Fairbanks Township
The history of Fairbanks Township is linked to its early industries and communities.
Early Iron Production in Fayette
In 1867, a company called Jackson Iron Company built a special factory in Fayette. This factory was a charcoal iron smelter. It used charcoal to melt iron ore. The community of Fayette grew up around this factory. It was named after Fayette Brown, who helped build the smelter. A post office opened in Fayette in 1870. However, the iron smelter was taken apart in 1891.
Fairport's Fishing Roots
Fairport was founded later, in 1886. It became a home for fishermen. They moved there from a nearby island to continue their work. Fairport was known as a busy port for fishing boats.
Fayette Becomes a State Park
After the iron factory closed, Fayette became a small vacation spot. People would visit for holidays. In the mid-1950s, it stopped being a resort. Then, in 1959, it became the Fayette Historic State Park. This park helps protect the old iron town and its history.
Geography and Natural Features
Fairbanks Township covers a large area, but most of it is water.
Land and Water Area
The township has a total area of about 299.2 square miles (775.0 square kilometers). However, only about 47.2 square miles (122.2 square kilometers) is land. The rest, about 252.0 square miles (652.8 square kilometers), is water. This means a very large part of the township is covered by water, mostly from Lake Michigan.
Islands in the Township
Some islands are also part of Fairbanks Township. The northern Potawatomi Islands are located here. The southern Potawatomi Islands are in a different area, in Wisconsin. A part of St. Martin Island is owned by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. This land is held in trust for their tribe.
Climate
The climate in Fairbanks Township, especially near Burnt Bluff, has cold winters and mild summers.
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People of Fairbanks Township
In 2000, there were 321 people living in Fairbanks Township. Most of the people were White (91.59%). About 4.98% were Native American. A small number were Asian or from two or more races.
The average age of people in the township was 47 years old. About 15.6% of the population was under 18. About 21.5% were 65 years or older.
Famous People from Fairbanks Township
- Lynn Chandnois was born in Fayette. He was a professional football player. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1950 to 1956. Before that, he was an All-American player at Michigan State University.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Fairbanks (Míchigan) para niños
