Though it may first appear as an out-of-the-way village nestled along the spine of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Calumet was the heart of the region during copper mining’s heyday.
Known as Red Jacket until 1929, the village grew out of a remote, densely-forested wilderness into a commercial and cultural center. The growth and success of Red Jacket’s businesses, institutions and people were directly tied to the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company. As the fortunes of the copper industry grew and then declined, the village followed — such was life in a mining community. Though copper mining eventually ceased, many buildings and features from this boom time remain, providing an opportunity to explore the many stories of the past.
Because of its importance to the copper mining story, the village's downtown is located within the Calumet Unit. With growing emphasis on preserving its history, Calumet is again becoming a vibrant community. Several Keweenaw Heritage Sites are located in the village downtown and invite further exploration into the area's history and heritage.
