Fairfax, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fairfax, Washington
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The Farrell Bridge over the Carbon River near Fairfax
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 Fairfax, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Fairfax, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Pierce County | Pierce |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Fairfax was once a busy coal town in Pierce County, located in the state of Washington. It sat right on the Carbon River, about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Carbonado, Washington. You can find its old location along SR 165. People lived and worked in Fairfax because of the coal mines.
However, mining in Fairfax did not last forever. After World War I, it became too expensive to dig up coal there. So, the town slowly became empty. For a long time, the only ways to reach Fairfax were by train or by using pack animals like mules. This changed in 1921 when the O'Farrell Bridge was finished. This bridge was 240 feet (73 meters) high and was the tallest bridge in Washington state at the time. It made getting to Fairfax much easier.
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What was Fairfax like?
Fairfax was a town built around mining. It was a place where families lived and workers dug for coal. The town had homes, stores, and other buildings needed for daily life. Today, Fairfax is known as a ghost town. This means most of its buildings are gone, and no one lives there anymore. It's a quiet place that reminds us of the past.
Fairfax's Mining History
The story of coal mining in Fairfax began in 1896. A company called Western American Company owned the main mine, known as the Fairfax Mine. By 1899, a railroad line connected Fairfax to Carbonado, Washington. This allowed the first shipments of coal to leave Fairfax.
Producing Coal and Coke
Pierce County was special because it was one of the few places in Washington state that produced coke. Coke is a special type of fuel made from coal. In 1902, the Western American Company built 35 coke ovens in Fairfax. This made Fairfax an important center for coke production in the county.
In 1906, the Fairfax mine was very busy. It produced about 20,000 tons of coal in just nine months. During another 35-day period that same year, it produced an additional 1,858 tons. In total, the mine produced over 21,000 tons of coal in 1906.
Looking for Workers
The mines and other businesses in Fairfax needed many workers. In 1909, the mine put out an advertisement looking for a coal mine electrician. The next year, in 1910, the Manley, Moore Lumber Company also looked for new employees. They needed millwrights, who are skilled workers for mills, and offered them $3.50 to $4 per day. They also needed common laborers and offered them $2.25 to $2.50 per day.
These advertisements show that Fairfax was a growing town during these years. The mines and lumber companies were making enough money to hire many people.
The End of an Era
The most productive years for the Fairfax mine were short. Eventually, it became too expensive to continue mining coal. After the mines closed, people started to leave Fairfax. Today, the town is mostly empty. It has become a popular spot for hikers who want to explore the area and see the remains of the old town.
Images for kids
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After Fairfax was abandoned, the school swimming pool became the largest remaining element of the town
