Calumet

Calumet is a mining village in Houghton County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, situated at 370 meters elevation. The settlement preserves 19th-century buildings and copper mining installations visible throughout its streets.

The village was founded in 1864 as Red Jacket and quickly became a center of American copper production. Between 1871 and 1880, the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company supplied more than half of the nation's copper.

The Calumet Theatre, opened in 1900, displays the wealth from copper mining through its Victorian design. The building still functions as a performance venue and shapes the town's character with its ornate architecture.

The village is part of Keweenaw National Historical Park, which offers guided tours through mining sites and old industrial buildings. Most tours operate during warmer months when weather suits exploring.

The Italian Hall Memorial marks a 1913 tragedy in which 73 people died during a Christmas celebration. The event occurred during a mining strike and remains central to local memory.

Location: Houghton County

Inception: 1864

Elevation above the sea: 370 m

GPS coordinates: 47.24667,-88.45389

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:27