Few things are quite as haunting as walking through a once-bustling town that now sits abandoned and silent. Michigan is home to many such spots, but Fayette ghost town in the Upper Peninsula is especially eerie. Nonetheless, many consider it to be the most beautiful ghost town in Michigan. The storied past and rapid decline of Fayette, Michigan make it an informative yet humbling spot to visit.

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Located within Fayette Historic State Park between Escanaba and Manistique, the townsite of Fayette sits quietly as a reminder of what used to be. While the scenery is stunning, the town fell victim to a quick economic decline.
Flickr/Pat Kight
In the mid-19th century, Fayette, Michigan was a major hub for the iron ore industry. Ore was shipped to the town, where it was melted down before being transported to various steel-making centers.
Flickr/Rebecca Chatfield
Fayette’s location on the water made it a perfect harbor location for imports and exports of iron ore and its byproducts. During its 24 years of operation, the town produced and exported over 200,000 tons of iron.
Flickr/Pat Kight
The now ghost town was home to nearly 500 residents, many of whom had immigrated to Michigan from northern Europe and Canada. At its height, Fayette was home to everything from a hotel to an opera house.

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Unfortunately, with the decline of the iron industry near the turn of the century, Fayette’s primary economic operation could no longer be sustained. By the mid 1890s, the area was well on its way to ghost town status.
Flickr/WhiteWaves of Bay De Noc
Today, the town is both informative and spooky. While visitors will be provided with a slew of interesting information about Fayette, there’s something undeniably eerie about venturing through now-abandoned buildings and docks that were once full of life.
Flickr/Scott Elliot Smithson
Wander through the townsite to see remnants of iron production equipment and former housing for the town’s residents. The timeworn buildings are a sight to behold — both beautiful and mysterious in equal parts.
Flickr/Deb
So if you’re looking for a destination that will combine history, natural beauty, and a ghostly vibe, Fayette Historic Townsite is the place for you. You might not spot any spirits, but you’ll leave with a new understanding of Michigan’s past and a few extra chills down your spine.

Check out this video tour of Fayette for a sneak preview!

Have you made the trip out to Fayette ghost town to explore its long-empty buildings? Tell us about your experience (and any spooky encounters you had) at this ghost town in Michigan in the comment section. Do you think the Fayette ghost town is haunted? Let us know.

If you want to see more Michigan ghost towns, we have a road trip just for that! Just make sure to check out our road trip packing list before you head out on the road.

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The trick for going ghost hunting in Michigan is 100 percent seasonality. Around Halloween, you see, many places open their doors for ghost-hunting sessions, as in the cast of Wayne Historical Museum. You can, of course, enjoy your own unofficial ghost hunt by booking a room at a local bed and breakfast with a haunted history or after a meal at a haunted pub.

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Small towns rank among the most creepy places to visit in Michigan (especially if they're abandoned)… but they can also be the most quaint and charming places in the whole world. The many small towns in Michigan each have their own personalities, and many boast incredible dining scenes, histories, and other notable features. There’s so much to love about cities like Douglas, Sturgis, and Milford. You may find, however, that some of the most underrated places on the map are also the most magical. Don’t be afraid to explore someplace new – Michigan is magical.

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Fayette Historic Townsite, 4785 II Rd, Garden, MI 49835, USA