Historic Calumet, Michigan

Every couple of years, we manage to squeeze–in a long weekend to visit Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. This time, we are headed to the historic village of Calumet (aka Red Jacket). We love the town’s beautiful old buildings, historic sites, and all the things to do here.

First, we cross the Portage Lake Aerial Lift Bridge – the entrance to the Keweenaw Peninsula (which is actually an island).  Built in 1959, this double-decker bridge has two levels - the upper level is used by vehicular traffic while the lower level is for pedestrians and snowmobiles.

Lift Bridge

Calumet was the center of the copper mining industry (1843-1969).  During the mining years, over 12 billion pounds of native copper was mined. It’s no wonder Calumet’s nickname is “Copper Town, USA”.

One of the first things we see is the 9,392 pound piece of float copper at the Keweenaw National Historic Park (along Highway US-41). Float copper is defined as, “a geological term used to denote any material that has been carried by erosion away from its spot of formation.”

                          

Large Piece of Float Copper on Display

The National Park Service Visitor Center is located on Fifth Street in the three-story brick building (marked Masonic Temple). The first floor used to be a bank and has beautiful embellished ceilings.  We spend about 1.5 hours browsing through the three floors, talking to the Park Ranger, and watching short videos.  

National Park Visitor Center

Main Floor

Take the elevator or the stairs to the 2^nd and 3^rd floors

Copper pieces at the National Park's Visitor Center

Across the street (corner of Scott & Fifth Street) is St. Anne’s Church (1900-1966).  It now serves as the Keweenaw Heritage Center.

 

St. Anne's Church

The Calumet Downtown Historic District (including Fifth Street and Sixth Street between Scott and Pine Streets) was designated a Michigan Historic Site on November 15, 1973 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1974.  

Fifth Street in Calumet

Located at 340 Sixth Street, the Calumet Fire Station (aka Red Jacket Fire Station) is a Richardsonian Romanesque building constructed of Jacobsville sandstone.  It was designated a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1971 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.  It is now home to the Copper Country Firefighters Museum.

Calumet Fire Station (1898)

Across the street from the Fire Station is the Calumet Theater (aka Calumet Opera House). The Theater is open and we opt to do the condensed tour ($4 each). It includes the lobby, main floor of the theater, ballroom, and first balcony. The second balcony is closed for safety reasons.

Calumet Theater

Inside the Theater

Michigan Historic Sign

The Theater opened in 1900. It was designated a Michigan Historic Site on April 23, 1971 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 5, 1971.

At the corner of Elm Street and Sixth Street is the site of the “Italian Hall Disaster".   The tragic event occurred on December 24, 1913. During a Christmas Eve Party, someone yelled “FIRE!”. Those present panicked and ran for their lives trampling and killing 73 people (59 were children). There was not a fire and the person responsible was never identified. It’s hard not to feel some sadness for such a senseless loss of lives when visiting this place.  On June 6, 1977, it was designated a Michigan Historic Site..

Italian Hall Disaster

The Arch from the Building

(Archive Photo - NPS)

The Calumet and Hecla Industrial District is part of the Calumet Historic District (a National Historic Landmark District) and the Keweenaw National Historical Park. It was designated a Michigan Historic Site on November 15, 1973 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1974.   

Map of C&H Historic District

(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

There are ten buildings in the C&H Historic District. Here are a few we photographed.

 Roundhouse (1888) at Depot & Mine Street

Machine Shop (1882) at Rockhouse & Mine Street

General Office building (1890) at Red Jacket & Calumet Street

Library (1898) at Red Jacket & Mine Street

 Bath House (1901) at Calumet & Depot Street

Warehouse #1 & #2 on Red Jacket Street

Warehouse #1 is now the Park Mining Museum

St. Paul the Apostle Church (completed in 1908) was constructed of sandstone in the Romanesque style and is a State of Michigan Historic Site. 

St. Paul the Apostle Church at 301 8^th Street

Just down the street from St. Paul’s Church is the former Morrison School (1919-1995). This three-story Collegiate Gothic style building served as a centralized elementary school for the Calumet area.

Morrison School (located on 8^th Street)

Located on the corner of Ninth Street and Oak Street, the Mineral Range Railroad erected this once stately train depot (1908-1960’s). The railroad tracks have been removed but the building remains as a former status symbol of Calumet’s copper mining hey-day. The building was abandoned for many years and fell into a state of disrepair. In 2017, Calumet Township purchased the building and is in the process of restoring it.

Historic Train Depot

The railroads served an important role in the mining industry. Although the railroad is no longer active in the area, its presence and historical value is still evident.

Train Tracks & Abandoned Buildings

Old Stone Buildings - Railroad Shack

Pattern Storage Building

For more information on Michigan’s Copper Country, I invite you to view some of my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Keweenaw Heritage Sites

Keweenaw Ghost Towns

There are lots of food and lodging options in the greater Houghton-Hancock area. Over the years, we have stayed at several of the national chain hotels in Houghton.

If you are looking for the BIG salad (Seinfeld fans will get that joke), you should go to The Hut Inn (58540 Wolverine St (US-41) in Kearsarge (about 3 miles from Calumet). I came hungry and thought I would never see the bottom of the bowl!!!

Since opinions, budgets, and preferences vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on food and lodging.