UPside of Life: Calumet and Laurium full of historical wonder

It's not hard to imagine what the town of Calumet was like in its glory days, back when the copper practically flowed out of the area and money flowed back in.

From the magnificent Calumet Theatre to the beauty of St. Paul the Apostle Church to the historic feel of the Michigan House, the remnants of the copper heyday are still easily witnessed throughout Calumet. That's the reason why any trip to the town--once populated by over 4,600 people with the township boasting over nearly 26,000--leaves you feeling as though you stepped back in time.

Calumet can easily be called a shadow of its former self. The town, which was once known as Red Jacket until legally changing to its current name in 1929, has a population of less than 900. But, don't let that number fool you at all. In nearby Laurium, which can be considered Calumet's residential neighbor, there are over 2,000 people. The two towns have an intertwined history dating back to the second half of the 1800s (Laurium was once named Calumet, in fact) and combined they still make for an amazing area to visit.

The Calumet Historic District is part of the National Register of Historic Places, and smack dab in the middle of it all is the Calumet Theatre, constructed in 1900. This National Historic Landmark was once host to the likes of the operetta The Highwayman, which stopped while on a tour from Broadway. In addition, theatre greats such as Lon Chaney, Sr., Frank Morgan, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Madame Helena Modjeska have graced the stage with their presence.

St. Paul the Apostle Church, once known as St. Joseph's Catholic Church, is another amazing place to stop for those interested in historic locations. The current church was built in 1908, costing a then-staggering $100,000 to build. It was an imposing structure when it was built, and still is today. It has multiple stained-glass windows, a custom-built pipe organ and an interior that has remained nearly untouched over the last century.

But history isn't the only thing worth checking into in Calumet and Laurium. Like most places in the Upper Peninsula, there are some darn good eats worth stopping for as well. The Michigan House, which is a historic landmark in its own right boasting a gorgeous interior, is pretty much a must for anyone traveling through the area. Outstanding hand-crafted beer, aptly made under the Red Jacket label, and top-quality food are standard fare there.

For something a bit lighter, hit the Irish Times in Laurium, or grab a bite at Jim's Pizza in downtown Calumet, which has plenty more than pizza on its menu. You can also grab a pizza or a calzone at PizzaWorks, which is a local favorite.

Oh, and who can forget about pasties, which quite possibly first made their mark on the Upper Peninsula right in Calumet back in the day? Toni's Country Kitchen in Laurium, which closes at 5 p.m., is a great place to stop and grab that Yooper favorite.

Be it for a historical tour, a simple lunch stop on your way to or from Copper Harbor or for any other reason, a visit to Calumet and Laurium is worth the time and effort. It's quiet, it's welcoming and it's a great way to celebrate everything that the Upper Peninsula has come to be known for.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of the U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He has always enjoyed a trip to Calumet and his favorite stop is the Michigan House for a cool Red Jacket brew and one of the best burgers on the peninsula. Eggleston can be reached via email.