Oak Stree Inn - Calumet, Michigan

Brief history of the Calumet area and the Oak Street Inn building

The Village of Calumet was formed in the wake of the United States first real mining boom, which took place six years previous to the California gold rush. In 1843 reports of massive copper deposits caused an influx of thousands of European immigrants to work in the hard-rock mines, which probed the richest copper deposits ever discovered. The "Copper Country" provided nearly all of Americas copper production by 1850, and was instrumental in providing copper for the North during the civil war and the coming industrial revolution.

The discovery of the Calumet conglomerate lode, a fabulously rich copper ore body, made possible the formation of one of the most successful mines in America, the C&H, or Calumet and Hecla. Between 1867 and 1884 the C&H produced half of the nations copper. The Red Jacket shaft, at more than 8000 feet, was the deepest in the world. Calumet and Laurium rest on top of hundreds of miles of shafts, tunnels and drifts (large, open, mined out areas).

These prosperous times created the vibrant Village of Calumet and outlying communities. Many fine homes and buildings were built, along with industrial complexes, mining buildings and shaft houses. The ornate Calumet Theatre was built with extra Village funds. The Calumet Historic District was formed in conjunction with the Keweenaw National Historical Park, in 1992, to preserve this history and to tell the story of the area.

The Oak Street Inn occupied the building at 808 Oak Street in 2000 after years of tedious work to restore the structure. The building had deteriorated after decades of vacancy... after 100 years of steady use having housed saloons, stores and living quarters. It sits near the historic Red Jacket railroad depot and beautiful St. Paul the Apostle church. Tales from old-timers and evidence from the building, which remains historically intact, refer to "speak easy's" and "cathouses" along with a long history of candy, soda, grocery and newspaper sales.

The building was built in 1879 in a time of prosperity for the Keweenaw. The original use of the structure was as a grocery store (Lud's Store, Socrate's) in one storefront and a saloon (Michael Schmalzel's Saloon). Office/Apartment suites were on the second floor. These businesses catered to the many people who came and went from the nearby train station and the surrounding community of Red Jacket and the bustling Village of Calumet. The grocery operated under different names until the 1980's. The saloon maintained its role until the 1950's. The upstairs apartments housed people into the early 1980's. Starting in 1995, renovation has taken place, saving the structure, and creating a situation whereby visitors to the area can accommodate themselves in the historic building, while enjoying the many activities and scenery this fine area has to offer.

Brief history of the Calumet area and the Oak Street Inn building The Village of Calumet was formed in the wake of the United States first real mining boom, which took place six years previous to the California gold rush. In 1843 reports of massive copper deposits caused an influx of thousands of European immigrants to work in the hard-rock mines, which probed the richest copper deposits ever discovered. The "Copper Country" provided nearly all of Americas copper production by 1850, and was instrumental in providing copper for the North during the civil war and the coming industrial revolution. The discovery of the Calumet conglomerate lode, a fabulously rich copper ore body, made possible the formation of one of the most successful mines in America, the C&H, or Calumet and Hecla. Between 1867 and 1884 the C&H produced half of the nations copper. The Red Jacket shaft, at more than 8000 feet, was the deepest in the world. Calumet and Laurium rest on top of hundreds of miles of shafts, tunnels and drifts (large, open, mined out areas). These prosperous times created the vibrant Village of Calumet and outlying communities. Many fine homes and buildings were built, along with industrial complexes, mining buildings and shaft houses. The ornate Calumet Theatre was built with extra Village funds. The Calumet Historic District was formed in conjunction with the Keweenaw National Historical Park, in 1992, to preserve this history and to tell the story of the area. The Oak Street Inn occupied the building at 808 Oak Street in 2000 after years of tedious work to restore the structure. The building had deteriorated after decades of vacancy... after 100 years of steady use having housed saloons, stores and living quarters. It sits near the historic Red Jacket railroad depot and beautiful St. Paul the Apostle church. Tales from old-timers and evidence from the building, which remains historically intact, refer to "speak easy's" and "cathouses" along with a long history of candy, soda, grocery and newspaper sales. The building was built in 1879 in a time of prosperity for the Keweenaw. The original use of the structure was as a grocery store (Lud's Store, Socrate's) in one storefront and a saloon (Michael Schmalzel's Saloon). Office/Apartment suites were on the second floor. These businesses catered to the many people who came and went from the nearby train station and the surrounding community of Red Jacket and the bustling Village of Calumet. The grocery operated under different names until the 1980's. The saloon maintained its role until the 1950's. The upstairs apartments housed people into the early 1980's. Starting in 1995, renovation has taken place, saving the structure, and creating a situation whereby visitors to the area can accommodate themselves in the historic building, while enjoying the many activities and scenery this fine area has to offer.
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