119 5th St. Hennes Block

119 5th St. in downtown Calumet, MI.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Calumet, MI

Significance:

Contributing Structure to the Calumet National Historic Landmark District

MANAGED BY:

Private Property

Amenities

2 listed

Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto

The Hennes Block was built sometime around 1880. It was home to the L. Hennes & Company store that carried general merchandise, meat, and hardware. In 1898 the proprietor, Louis Hennes, lived in Detroit and the store here was managed by Adolph Hennes who lived upstairs. By 1903, a saloon owned by John O’Neil moved into the south storefront here. By 1912, the Orensteins purchased the building and had their own shop in the north storefront selling furs. By 1930, Carpenters Closet occupied the north storefront selling women’s clothing and furnishings (accessories). Carpenters remained in business here until ca. 1990, eventually taking over the south storefront as well. In the intervening years, the south storefront was occupied by Millers Market, a Sears store, and other businesses. For a while in the early 20th-century, photographer William Nara’s studio was located in a commercial space at the back of the first floor with an entrance on Portland Street and there was a bowling alley in the basement.