423 5th St.

423 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

Businesses at 423 5th Street have changed several times since this building was built sometime between 1893 and 1897. Initially it was a cobbler or shoemaker’s shop owned by Lars Olson. In 1898, Olson and his family lived at 516 6th Street. Olson must have done well in business, for by 1900, the family was living at 519 Pine Street, a home they owned without a mortgage, and they had a domestic servant living with them. Sometime between 1901 and 1903, 423 5th Street became a Singer sewing machine shop. In an era when many people still made their own clothes, a sewing machine was an important appliance in the home and required a significant financial investment. Then sometime between 1917 and 1930 it became a barber shop, managed by Percy Penberthy, who resided at 209 Tamarack Street in Laurium.