National Register Listing

Calumet Theatre

a.k.a. Calumet Civic Auditorium

340 6th St., Calumet, MI
Local significance of the building:
Performing Arts

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

performing arts Civil War forts military
The Kellogg brothers, John Harvey and Will Keith Kellogg, who invented corn flakes, were born in Michigan. They began their cereal company in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the city became known as the "Cereal Capital of the World" due to the many cereal companies that were based there.
Michigan random facts
Houghton County, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Ojibwa and the Huron. European settlement began in the early 19th century as a result of the fur trade, with Houghton County being officially established in 1845.

The discovery of copper in the mid-19th century changed the course of Houghton County's history. The region quickly became a hub for copper mining, attracting thousands of immigrants from around the world, particularly from Cornwall, England, and Finland. The mining industry boomed, and Houghton County became known as the "Copper Country." Copper mining continued to be the economic backbone of the county for the next century.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Houghton County experienced significant growth and development. The cities of Houghton and Hancock became bustling mining towns, with new infrastructure, schools, and cultural institutions. Michigan Technological University was established in Houghton in 1885 as a school to train mining engineers and further strengthen the mining industry.

However, the decline of the copper industry in the mid-20th century resulted in economic struggles for Houghton County. Many mines closed, leading to a loss of jobs and population decline. In recent decades, the county has shifted its focus to diversifying its economy, emphasizing tourism, education, and outdoor recreation. Additionally, the mining history of Houghton County has been preserved and celebrated, with a vibrant heritage tourism industry attracting visitors from far and wide.

Today, Houghton County continues to be a charming and picturesque region, with its rich history still evident in its architecture, museums, and cultural events. The county's resilient spirit can be seen in its efforts to adapt and thrive in the face of economic challenges, making it a unique and fascinating place to explore.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Houghton County, Michigan.

  • 1830 - Native American tribes, including the Ojibwa and Dakota, inhabit the area that would later become Houghton County.
  • 1843 - Douglass Houghton, a geologist, surveys the region and discovers rich copper deposits.
  • 1845 - The Pittsburgh and Boston Mining Company is the first to mine copper in the area, establishing a settlement called "Houghton" in honor of Douglass Houghton.
  • 1846 - The first post office is established in Houghton.
  • 1852 - Houghton County is officially established by the legislature of the Michigan Territory.
  • 1861-1865 - Houghton County experiences a copper boom during the American Civil War, as copper is in high demand for ammunition production.
  • 1875 - The Michigan College of Mines is founded in Houghton, later becoming Michigan Technological University.
  • 1901 - The Calumet and Hecla Mining Company, one of the largest copper mining companies in the world, reaches its peak production in Houghton County.
  • 1923 - The Quincy Mining Company suspends operations, signaling the decline of the local copper industry.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression further devastates the local economy, leading to the closure of many mines in Houghton County.
  • 1940s-1950s - After World War II, Houghton County experiences a brief resurgence in mining activity due to increased demand for copper.
  • 1960s-present - Houghton County transitions its economy towards education, healthcare, tourism, and small-scale mining.