Historic Fairport Fish Hatchery

In 1908 by an act of Congress, the United States Federal Biological Station at Fairport was established to research freshwater mussels and fish in their Mississippi River habitat. In October 2023, the Fairport Fish Hatchery Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Interpretive Trail System features a North Trail along archaeological ruins of five cottages where researchers lived while working at the Station. The South Trail showcases hatchery operations as they are today along with archaeological ruins and information about the original buildings at the Station. Throughout the trails visitors will find 19 interpretive signs designed to tell the story of this important conservation and commerce research center. Many of the trail signs incorporate a QR Code that allows visitors to access online videos to dig deeper into the details of the stories at this historic site. The self-guided trails offer great hiking and leisurely sight-seeing opportunities for visitors. The trails and pavilion are open year-round during daylight hours. The Education Pavilion houses informational panels, a history timeline of the hatchery, and artifact display cases. Design of the pavilion pays homage to the 1910 Pump House that was demolished in 2021. The Education Pavilion incorporates sandstone blocks salvaged from the original 1910 pump house into its window arches and bullseye windows over the doors.