Our Township

On November 27, 1866, the Houghton County Board of Supervisors met to discuss the formation of a new township. The new township was to be taken from the northern part of Franklin Township. With a final tally of five votes to zero, Calumet Township was officially born.

Calumet Township covers 33.2 square miles and is 13 miles north of the Portage Ship Canal on US 41. It has three villages within its borders, the Villages of Calumet, Laurium, and Copper City. It is the largest township in Houghton County, boasting over 6,000 residents. Calumet Township has a unique blend of history and recreation with a small-town atmosphere.

The headquarters for the Keweenaw National Historical Park is in Calumet Township. Established by congress in 1992, the KNHP's main offices and archives occupy two buildings which date back to the Calumet and Hecla Mining Days. A state-of-the-art Visitors Center opened in November of 2012 recognizing our historical significance and over 100 years of mining history.

Calumet Township has year-round recreation. In the summer, we have the Calumet Township Waterworks Park for picnicking, swimming, rock hunting, and relaxing on the shore of Lake Superior. For ATV riders and snowmobilers, Calumet Township is home to a trail system that stretches for nearly 100 miles throughout Houghton and Keweenaw counties. In the winter, the Swedetown Recreation Area has 35 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. For the non-skiers, there are also 2 miles of multi-use trails for snowshoers and dog walkers, as well as 10 miles of groomed trails for snowbikes. In the off-season, there are 25 miles of single track mountain bike trails that can be also used for dog walking, trail running, and nature hikes.

The Public Schools of Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw currently educates approximately 1,600 students from Houghton and Keweenaw County. The pride of the Keweenaw, Calumet Schools have an outstanding and diverse curriculum while keeping the small town feeling in the classroom. They offer many clubs, organizations, and athletics for students. The North Star Battalion is the second oldest Junior ROTC program in the nation. The school system today incorporates technology in the classroom, using tablets and laptops as well as 3D printers for hands on education. Michigan Technological University is within 12 miles of the Calumet Public Schools.

Healthcare in Calumet Township is provided by Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. In 1903, an established physician opened the Northern Michigan General Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Laurium Village. In 1908, this private hospital turned into the non-profit Calumet Public Hospital, but continued the legacy of public healthcare for the people of the Keweenaw. Many changes have come upon this rural hospital since its infancy, today it reaches the community on a variety of fronts. It has become the epicenter of local medical care with clinics in Laurium, Lake Linden, and Houghton, and two fitness and physical rehabilitation centers.

Shoppers have plenty of opportunities to support local businesses. Calumet Township is home to a variety of shops, including art galleries, antique stores, and souvenir stores full of local clothes and gifts.

We have a wide variety of dining options, with plenty of options for everybody. We are home to historic taverns, pizza, Mexican and Finnish cuisine, coffee shops, and local brew pubs. For overnight accommodations we have a hotel with pool and continental breakfast, rustic cabins, motels, and several historical bed & breakfasts.

We are proud of our community and heritage. Our friendly and caring community makes our quality of life second to none. Come and join our welcoming atmosphere!