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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.
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.
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
CALUMET, a city of Greenway Township,
bears the French name (from the Latin calamus, a reed) of the ceremonial
pipe used by the Indians in making treaties or other solemn engagements.
Assent was expressed by smoking the calumet, which, from treaties
preventing or terminating wars, was often called the peace pipe. The
city began as a logging site in the 1880s, but its chief source of
employment was the Hill Annex Mine; 480 acres were platted by the Powers
Improvement Company, selling lots beginning in 1908. The Duluth, Missabe
and Northern Railway built a line through in 1906; the post office was
established in 1908; it was incorporated as a village on May 21, 1909.
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.
A Time For You
PO Box 157
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218) 244-9222
American Bank of Nashwauk
572 5th Avenue
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218)
247-7536
Calumet Bait &
Antiques
912 Gary Street
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218) 247-3111
Calumet Chevrolet Buick
927 Gary Street
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218)
247-7513
Toll Free:(877) 676-7513
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
Calumet City Hall
932 Gary Street
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218) 247-7542
Calumet Depot Craft Shop 890 Gary Street
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218)
247-7389
Calumet Fire
Department
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: n/a
Calumet Library
932 Gary Street
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218) 247-3108
Calumet Service Center Highway 169
Calumet, MN 55716
Phone: (218)
247-7123
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. 
