322 6th St. Curto Block

322 6th 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

A two-story house occupied this site in 1884. In 1895, the house was moved back on the lot and the front portion of the existing building was built by Marco Curto, attached to the front of the house. The saloon here was first known as Curto’s Place. Sometime between 1897 and 1900, the house was demolished, and the back part of the existing building was built in its place. The Shute family took over the business from the Curto family between 1916 and 1926. During prohibition, the bar officially sold “near-beer” and other soft-drinks, but according to family stories, also clandestinely sold alcoholic beverages in the basement. Workers in the soft drink parlor would tap on the radiator pipes to alert patrons in the basement when enforcement officials came in for an inspection. In 1989, the Shute family sold the building and the business; it is currently owned by John Vertin and Brad Wagner. The village of Calumet owns the elaborate backbar and stained-glass canopy.