Fairy Gardens Chinese Restaurant, Jackson is Missed by Many: 1928-1982

I remember my parents taking the family to the Fairy Gardens Chinese restaurant. I don’t think I was even ten years old yet. After parking, we had to walk around to the side of the building and walk up a covered staircase to the restaurant, which had a second story view of Michigan Avenue.

It was the first place and time I ever ate Chinese food...and thanks to the Fairy Garden, I have loved it ever since...and it was air-conditioned – considered a luxury at the time.

For many years, it was the only place in the city where you could get authentic Asian food...but it was not the first. The Fairy Garden was created by Ralph Lum, born Lum Ling in Canton, China. Around 1909 he arrived in Jackson after staying a while with relatives in Chicago.

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According to MLive, Ralph began working at 205 Francis Street, home of the Foo Louie Restaurant. After another stint at the Liberty Cafe’ at 127 East Michigan Avenue, he opened the China Inn across the street from the Liberty. Finally, in 1928, he opened the Fairy Gardens Chinese Restaurant at 101 South Jackson Street.

Ralph Lum used the second floor as the restaurant, and the third floor to home-grow his special bean sprouts that he used in his dishes. The building was known as the Ismon Building, built in 1853, and is now on the State Register of Historic Sites as one of the first three brick stores in Jackson. It was named after the man who had it built: Horace Ismon, who operated it as a dry goods store.

The first floor changed hands over the years:
1867: Richard Nicholson's Barber Shop
1878 – 1893: Gent's Furnishings
1894 – 1902: shoe store
1902 – 1929: Case Jewelers
1930 – 1972: drug store and shoe store

After Ralph retired in 1950, his son Wiiliam took over until 1973. Several owners came and went until the restaurant closed for good in 1982, then called the Formosa Inn.

Ralph Lum passed away in 1987 at age 95.