After becoming wealthy in the iron mining business, he purchased an entire city block on the harbor, where he built the 42-room Martin Pattison House, which is now the Fairlawn Mansion and Museum.

Until 1935, Pattison State Park consisted of a small picnic area, some wooden overlooks, pit toilets, and a ranger cabin.

On July 25, 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began renewing the park.

It also drained Interfalls Lake, rerouted the river channel, hauled sand from Lake Superior's shore to make the beach, installed sewer and water systems, removed old roadbeds, planted trees, and landscaped and built three miles of foot trails.

[2] Media related to Pattison State Park at Wikimedia Commons