Calumet Theatre

The Calumet Theatre is an opera house with yellow-brown brick walls and copper cornices located in downtown Calumet, Michigan. The structure sits on a Jacobsville sandstone foundation and was built with careful architectural details typical of its era.

The theatre opened in 1900 as the first municipal theatre in the United States, coinciding with the region's peak copper mining years. It was built to serve the cultural needs of the expanding local community.

The theatre stage welcomed performers Frank Morgan, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Lon Chaney Sr, John Philip Sousa, Sarah Bernhardt, and Madame Helena Modjeska.

A visit works best during quieter times of year when you can move through the space more freely and see the interior details at your own pace. Guided tours can be arranged to learn more about the theatre's original features and layout.

The theatre preserves its original electric lighting system from 1900, which replaced gas lamps as an early innovation of its time. The interior features crimson, gold, and ivory decorations that reflect the original design aesthetic.

Location: Calumet

Inception: 1900

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Made from material: Jacobsville Sandstone

Address: 340 Sixth Street, Calumet, MI 49913

Phone: +19063372610

Website: http://calumettheatre.com

GPS coordinates: 47.24849,-88.45696

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07