211 5th St. Ruppe Block

211 5th St. in downtown Calumet, MI.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Calumet, MI

Significance:

Contributing Structure to the Calumet National Historic Landmark District

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Private Property

Amenities

2 listed

Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto

Peter Ruppe Jr. opened the Calumet branch of Ruppe & Sons in 1869. The existing building was first constructed after the Red Jacket fire of 1870. It was originally only two stories tall. In 1899 a third story and a new store front were constructed to keep up with growing demand and competition from other stores, such as Vertin's Department Store on Oak Street. The Ruppe's success in the mercantile business allowed them to invest in banks and mining companies, and they were active in local government. In 1923 the Ruppe family sold the building to the JC Penny Company, which moved from a smaller location in Calumet. In 1980 JC Penny's moved to the new Copper Country Mall in Houghton, and closed both the store in Calumet, and a store in downtown Houghton. Though briefly occupied by a fitness center, the Ruppe building has been mostly vacant since.