In 1880 several logging companies were operating
near the future site of the village of Calumet. The logging companies, sometimes
employing as many as 100 men, brought the first settlers to the Calumet
area.
Named after the Indian peace pipes, Calumet
became a permanent community when the Hill Mine was put into operation.
Businesses of all kinds came to Calumet.
By 1909 a general store, hardware store, a women's clothing store, blacksmith
shop, cigar factory, ice house, livery barn, butcher shop, public sauna
and fourteen saloons had opened.
Calumet - 1909
Mining has been Calumet's principal economic
base since the community was formed. The most important of the Calumet mines
was the Hill-Annex Mine, one of the largest state-owned mines in Minnesota.
Since the closing of the mine, the state has erected interpretive facilities
overlooking the mine for visitor use.
Calumet - 1938
Today Calumet still retains much of the flavor
of an early mining community and warrants a turn off Highway 169 for a brief
step into the history of Minnesota's iron ranges.
Excerpt From: Iron Range Country A Historical Travelogue of Minnesota's Iron Ranges
Published by: The IRRRB 1979
PIPE OF PEACE
Calumet (1,400 alt., 946 pop.) is the
fourth of the villages in the Canisteo District.
The success of the Oliver Iron Mining
Company's washing plant at Coleraine brought about the development of
ore deposits in this section. In 1908, the Hill Mine (abandoned) was
opened, and near it the Powers Improvement Company (Hibbing) platted the
town site, cut and graded streets, and constructed a hotel. Lots sold
quickly, and buyers, representing all trades, began to erect buildings.
Incorporated as a village in 1909, its name is French (from the Latin
calamus, meaning "reed"), the word used for the Indian peace pipe.
The community's chief source of income is
the Hill-Annex Mine, operated on a State lease by the Inter-State Iron
Company. It is one of the largest State-owned mines in Minnesota and is
the most completely electrified open pit in the Lake Superior District.
The ore is dug by electric shovels and loaded into cars pulled by
electrically driven locomotives. Sight-seeing facilities have been
provided. A two-unit crushing and screening plant is operated adjacent
to the mine.
In the business section, which is several
blocks long, a modern pendant-type white-way system was installed in
1939. The residential district extends almost to the mining property,
and here curbs, gutters, and boulevards were built in 1939. In that same
year, four blocks of blacktop streets were added.
Public utilities are modern. The Village
Hall (cor. Main St. and 2nd Ave.) is constructed of light-tan brick in a
modern design, and the Calumet School (north end of Main St.),
up-to-date in every respect, accommodates pupils from the village and
near-by mining locations.
Many recreational facilities are
available at lakes within easy driving distance.
There are
162 households out of which 32.7% have children under the
age of 18 living with them, 42.0% are
married couples living together, 14.2% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 39.5% are non-families.
34.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.5%
have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older.
The average household size is 2.33 and the average family
size is 3.02.
In the city the population is spread out
with 28.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.6%
from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who are 65
years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every
100 females there are 89.6 males. For every 100 females
age 18 and over, there are 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the
city is $22,250, and the median income for a family is $35,000.
Males have a median income of $24,625 versus $18,958 for
females. The
per capita income for the city is $12,293. 17.5% of
the population and 16.0% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.8% of
those under the age of 18 and 18.3% of those 65 and older
are living below the poverty line.
Go
down in history with a tour of the Hill Annex Iron Mine. On the
1 1/2-hour open pit mine tour, visitors make a spectacular descent
into mining's past. Learn about the mine operation, the people who
worked here, and where they came from. Discover marine fossils in
northern Minnesota. Get a sense of the mine's deep, rich history.
Learn how this National Historic Site played an important role in
state, national, and world history.
The
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely
and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake
Vermillion. Portions are paved for biking and in-line skating. The
remainder of the natural surface trail is used primarily for snowmobiling
in the winter. The trail goes through a few areas that have standing
water in the summer, however portions of the trail are suitable
for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.
The Taconite Trail winds through forests of birch
and aspen intertwined with pine, leading the visitor by many isolated
lakes and streams. From Grand Rapids heading north, you see the
impact of the taconite and iron mining industry. The northern portion
of the trail terrain is rolling and tree covered as it winds through
state and national forest land.
Eight trail waysides and picnic facilities offer
scenic vistas of the hills, lakes and rivers of this area. The trail
also links three state parks: Bear Head Lake, Soudan Underground
Mine, and McCarthy Beach. The landscape in and around Bear Head
Lake State Park is very rolling and rocky.
We think you will like the way we do business at
the new Calumet Chevrolet-Buick. You can expect the best prices
and the best service everyday. With over 150 vehicles in stock and
our free locator service:
If we don't have it - we'll find
it for you. We appreciate your business.
David Clusiau, Peter Jones & the entire staff of the new Calumet
Chevrolet-Buick
Go
down in history with a tour of the Hill Annex Iron Mine. On the
1 1/2-hour open pit mine tour, visitors make a spectacular descent
into mining's past. Learn about the mine operation, the people who
worked here, and where they came from. Discover marine fossils in
northern Minnesota. Get a sense of the mine's deep, rich history.
Learn how this National Historic Site played an important role in
state, national, and world history.
The
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely
and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake
Vermillion. Portions are paved for biking and in-line skating. The
remainder of the natural surface trail is used primarily for snowmobiling
in the winter. The trail goes through a few areas that have standing
water in the summer, however portions of the trail are suitable
for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. 
