HERE - Fife Lake Historical Society

HISTORIC FIFE LAKE
ABOUT THE PHOTOS
Fife Lake is an authentic northern
Michigan village, named for William Fyfe
in1872. The village began as a lumbering
town, fueled by the operation of the Grand
Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Today,
there are many ways for visitors to step
back into the past and learn about Fife Lake’s rich
history.
All photographs featured on the Fife Lake Historic
Walk were taken during the last quarter of the 19th
century and the first quarter of the 20th century.
Such a rich photographic collection, including many
candid style shots, makes Fife Lake a very unique
historical village.
HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Fife Lake
Museum is full of
numerous historical
artifacts and displays
relating to the history
of this quaint village.
The museum is open
for tours 1-4pm Wed
and Sat.
HISTORIC FIRE BARN
The fire barn was
home to the volunteer
firefighting team in the
1880s. Today, the
building houses an
antique fire truck,
authentic firemen’s
uniforms, and large
wheeled firefighting
equipment.
Many of the photos currently on display, were taken
by Mr. Willis Brower. Mr. Brower enjoyed photography and tried to document much of the activity
around Fife Lake. Between 1890 and 1920, Mr.
Brower built up a collection of about 500 photographs, depicting life in the village and surrounding
woods and farms. His collection is particularly
unique due to the candid nature of many of his photos. While photographic reporting was just being
developed, and when most photographers were
doing only formal posed portraits, Mr. Brower used
a revolutionary news reporter style. After Mr.
Brower’s passing, Nina Brower kept her father’s
large photographic collection intact and eventually
gave it to a Fife Lake Museum Curator in 1967.
Mr. Brower’s collection, and photos from other photographers at the turn of the century, depict life in
Fife Lake during the early lumbering and ice harvesting years. These beautiful photos provide a
window into the past and reveal Fife Lake’s rich
history!
FIFE LAKE
HISTORIC WALK
Step back in time with the Fife Lake Historic Walk!
27 display plaques throughout the town depict
businesses, homes, and historic sites as they were
during the last quarter of the 19th century and the
first quarter of the 20th century. Each plaque
includes a historic photo and brief write-up
explaining the wonderful authentic nature of Fife
Lake.
remember
when...
Hardware/Drugstore - 1890’s
ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
This turn of the
century schoolroom is
complete with desks,
slates, and readers.
School children can
spend a day
experiencing life as a
student during the late
1800s.
The Fife Lake Historic Walk is sponsored
by the Fife Lake Historical Society.
Special thank-you to all the volunteers, especially Hayes
Manufacturing Inc, for donating time and resources to
make this walk possible!
Hardware - present
This hardware is one
of many historic
buildings still standing in Fife Lake.
Make the journey
into the past and
enjoy the many other
historic
buildings
featured in the Fife
Lake Historic Walk!
See www.fifelake.org for updates
Credit Union
27
26
24
23
22
P
20
21
General
Store
19
18
P
17
State Street
1
2
Historic
School
House
Elementary
School
3
Chase
Insurance
15
16
P
Library
Merritt Street
Historic
Fire Barn
Township Hall
Historic Mural
Early
Learning
Center
14
5
4
Sta
Janet Street
US 131
Boyd Street
25
Village
Laundry
Loon’s Nest
te S
Gordy’s
Place
tre
e
t
13
6
12 Hardware
11
7
Tip O’
the Mitt
Morgan Street
P
P
8
9
Pierce Street
= Restaurants
Downtown Fife Lake
1
= Historical Display Plaque
= Museum - Open for Tours
1. One-Room School House
2. LaBar House - 1910
3. Fire Barn - 1884
4. Street Scene in Fife Lake
5. Voice Bros. Auto Sales - 1920
6. City Hotel - 1894
7. Early Village Merchants
8. Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Depot
9. Ice Plant - 1890
10. Logging and Saw Mills - 1880
11. Hardware - 1890’s
12. The Sugar Bowl
13. Brower Building - 1890’s
14. Bandstands - 1880 & 1920
P
Dairy Bar
Fife Lake
Inn
10
= Businesses
Lakecrest Lane
Cemetery
Little
Shop of
Tresses
Post
Office
Ski and Shore
Real Estate
Oak Street
Historical
Museum
Fabric
Therapy &
Barber
Shop (vacant
Main Street
Village
Market
US 131
Dollar
General
P
Lakeview Park
Resort &
Party Store
= Parking Lot
= Vacant Building
= Railroad
= Private Home
= Park
= School
15. Willis Brower’s Mortuary
16. Brower House
17. Louis Morris - 1900
18. Dent Blue Meat Market - 1905
19. Fife Lake Citizens State Bank - 1906
20. Hutching’s Store - 1900
21. The Livery & Feed Sale Stable
22. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
23. Doherty House
24. Hodges House - 1900
25. Church / Community Building / Museum
26. Bosse’s Service Station - 1920
27. Schools 1886-Present
To see more of Fife Lake’s rich
history, be sure to check out the
historic photos and displays inside
many local businesses! Also, the
street lights look great from a
distance, but take a closer look to
read the dedication plaques at the
bottom of the lamp posts. These
plaques provide a brief glimpse
into the history of many
Fife Lake families!