Alanson in Emmet County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
W. W. Fairbairn
Registered Michigan Historic Site
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
1. W. W. Fairbairn Marker
Walter W. Fairbairn came to Alanson in 1888 as a government surveyor. He worked as a blacksmith in Detroit and lived in North Dakota before settling permanently in Alanson in 1892. Three years later, he established a hardware and plumbing business in this building, which also housed the post office. Fairbairn and, later, his descendants served customers throughout the area. The structure has pressed metal siding, which was popular during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Erected 2004 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2139.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location. 45° 26.484′ N, 84° 47.318′ W. Marker is in Alanson, Michigan, in Emmet County. It is at the intersection of Burr Avenue (U.S. 31) and River Street, on the right when traveling north on Burr Avenue. Marker is located beside sidewalk
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oden Gazebo Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); Welcome to Oden State Fish Hatchery (approx. 3 miles away); Fish and Rails (approx. 3 miles away); Luring Visitors (approx. 3 miles away); State Board of Fish Commissioners / State Game and Fish Warden (approx. 3 miles away); Passenger Pigeons (approx. 3 miles away); Hiawatha Pageant (approx. 5.1 miles away); Round Lake (approx. 5.1 miles away).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
2. W. W. Fairbairn Hardware Store (marker visible at front corner)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
3. W. W. Fairbairn Hardware Store (front street view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
4. W. W. Fairbairn Hardware Store (side view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
5. W. W. Fairbairn Hardware Store (pressed metal siding referenced on marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 555 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
