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 two 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 and Finlandia University are both 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!