Calumet blends copper mining heritage with seasonal adventure
Calumet’s history is rooted in Michigan’s copper mining industry, as it is part of the Upper Peninsula’s Copper County. As the city has preserved many of its original buildings and homes, it has also maintained a sense of community. “When people move here who are not from the area, they quickly realize how friendly the community is and how well everyone gets along,” says Christopher Coponen, a Realtor at Century 21 Affiliated who was born and raised in the area. In all seasons, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Calumet. "They consider the area an outdoorsman’s paradise,” Coponen says. “We have so much nature conservation, and we’re surrounded by Lake Superior on top of that.”
Historic homes and mining-era architecture dominate Calumet
Calumet has Queen Anne and Victorian architectural styles in the Calumet Historical District. The village also has some midcentury options, and even a few houses as new as 2024. “There are some really old homes, a lot of the mining captain homes,” Coponen says. “They’re big and really beautiful.” Prices range from around $30,000 to $575,000 and homes tend to be around 2,500 square feet, higher than the national average of 2,000 square feet.
The median lot size is about a quarter of an acre, but properties tend to have smaller front yards. Driveways are often next to houses, or residents utilize street parking. Homes usually stay on the market for around 87 days, higher than the national average of 52 days. About half of the people living in Calumet are renters.
Disc golf, kayaking and skiing are popular in Calumet parks
Calumet Township Waterworks Park is on the shores of Lake Superior. In addition to walking along the pebble beach, residents can play basketball or volleyball at the courts. The Lions Club Park is a smaller green space, but it has an 18-hole disc golf course and a place to launch kayaks and canoes. The Swedetown Recreational Area is used by hikers and bikers in the summer and skiers in the winter. Calumet Colosseum is the oldest hockey arena still in use. Keweenaw National Historical Park has several museums, copper mines and heritage sites.
Local celebrations reflect Upper Peninsula culture and pride
The annual Pasty Fest celebrates the beloved savory Cornish pastry. “It’s the one food that everyone knows the UP [Upper Peninsula] for,” Coponen says. CopperDog is a dog sled race that happens every winter, usually in February. The Calumet Farmers Market runs from June to October.
Students can earn an associate’s degree while in high school
Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw consist of three schools. CLK Elementary receives a B-minus grade from Niche grade. Washington Middle and Calumet High both share a building and earn a B overall score. High schoolers can take career and technology courses through the Copper Country Intermediate School District. Students enrolled in CLK’s Early College can take classes at Gogebic Community College and graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in five years. Michigan Technological University is an A-rated university in Houghton.
Calumet’s downtown blends history with everyday convenience
Much of the Calumet Downtown Historic District is comprised of buildings from the 1880s to the 1910s. “The Calumet Theatre is preserved from back in the day, and they still use it,” Coponen says. “You can still tour it.” Michigan House Cafe & Red Jacket Brewing Cafe still has a painted mural from 1906. Cafe Rosetta is a brunch spot with takeout options. There are several small boutiques and shops, as well as chains like Dollar General and Family Dollar. Pat’s Food is the closest grocery option, but there are more stores and restaurants nearby in Houghton and Hancock.
Scenic drives and trails connect Calumet to nearby towns
Hancock and Houghton are about 10 miles southwest on U.S. Route 41. The road also runs around 115 miles south to Marquette. Some homes are within walking distance of restaurants, bars and shopping in downtown Calumet. The Swedetown Trails consist of about 25 miles that can be used for hiking, running and biking, and around 18 miles that can be used for cross-country skiing. The area also has many snowmobile trails. “Copper County is the snow belt,” Coponen says. “We get the lake effect snow generated from Lake Superior.” The nearest airport is Houghton County Memorial Airport, which has direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The closest hospital is just a few miles away in Laurium.
