Fairfax was a coal town in Pierce County (Washington). Mining lasted only until the minerals ceased to be economically viable following World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. Until the completion of the nearby 240 feet (73.2 m) high Farrell Bridge in 1921 (the highest bridge in the state at the time), the town was only accessible via railroad or pack train.

Geography

The town was located on the Carbon River

Carbon River

The Carbon River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. It flows about 30 miles from its source, the Carbon Glacier on Mount Rainier, to join the Puyallup River at Orting....

 about 6 miles (10 km) south of Carbonado, Washington

Carbonado, Washington

Carbonado is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 610 at the 2010 census.-History:* This history has been condensed. For a more thorough history of Carbonado and the surrounding area read, Carbon River Coal Country.*...

, on SR 165

Washington State Route 165

State Route 165 is a numbered state highway in Washington, United States. Its northern terminus is at State Route 410 in Buckley. Its southern terminus is at the Mount Rainier National Park boundary near Mowich Lake.-Route description:...

, at 47°00′01"N 122°03′25"W (47.008482, -122.057)