Mineral Range Depot (Calumet)
There was a time when trains were the primary form of transportation across the Keweenaw. Several railroads ran daily passenger trains across the peninsula and outward towards points further south. With connections a passenger could hop on a train in Calumet and travel to almost any major city in the country - or arrive from any city across the country. The passenger depot was usually the first thing that a visitor noticed when they arrived to an area, and the impression it left often colored the rest of their visit. This wasn’t much of a concern at Calumet, as the Mineral Range Railroad had erected this very handsome and stately depot at the end of Oak Street to great its passengers. While hardly in pristine condition today, you can still make out hints of its more stately life hidden among the tired building.
These paneled doors are only one pair of several that once led to the depot’s waiting area. The doors were once surrounded by a set of windows that included a large transom overhead - now boarded up with red plywood. Building design of this period relied heavily on natural light to illuminate the interior spaces - which these windows would of accomplished.
Here’s a closer look at some of the decorative wood work around the door and window casings.
Here’s a closer look to the panel door itself, though time and weather has taken a toll.
Between two sets of those waiting room doors is this bay-like window. I wonder if this was the ticket booth, at least the external manifestation of it. It also could just be a set of windows though they are set sorta low.
Sitting to the left of the waiting room is another set of doors. On one door is what looks like a mail slot, while this one still has a nameplate attached. The only thing I could make out was “room”. I don’t think this was the waiting room, perhaps the sign said luggage room? I first thought “mail” but whatever word it is on the sign its too long for that.
Sitting on the far end of the building is this set of doors. These look much more utilitarian, looking more like a door you would see on an industrial building. The iron “bumpers” along the bricks seem to suggest its a loading door. Perhaps this was where small amounts of freight were stored until they were picked up. There is another similar set of doors on the other end of the building as well.
I find these types of doors rather beautiful, and something you rarely see anymore on buildings. This doors sit on a small wood-framed addition that has been placed on the back of the depot. This structure isn’t in great shape and will probably be the first to go. I assume this was another storage room for cargo off-loaded from trains. Or just possibly a general storage room I suppose.
Surrounding the entire building is a wide wood awning - at least there use to be. In order to keep it from failing during winter, the awning has been removed leaving just the wood supports in its place. These sandstone details sit at the base of those awning supports - you can see them throughout the photos today. Besides these, there is also sandstone embellishments under the windows and along the foundation as well.
Here is a shot down the old platform, which extends a good hundred feet past the end of the building. A line of wooden timbers marks the platforms edge, with the platform itself made from come type of asphalt material which I assume is a later addition. I would guess that the original platform was made entirely out of wood, and would of sat atop of these timbers. A large concrete slab extends back from the platform to the station itself. I would of guessed the station would be closer to the platform myself, but I guess not.
A parting shot of a very odd detail found along the buildings exterior. This is a survey marker, set right into the side of the building’s wall. I couldn’t read it very well but I think it marks a high point in elevation. Why they stuck it in the building is beyond me.
Looked around the station last time I was up there. Such a wonderful building. While the city has some bright spots of well kept buildings, so many great old buildings are on the edge of ruin. It is both beautiful and depressing at the same time.
Bill | June 16, 2008
I’m not sure what’s up with the depot. Last I knew it was put up for sale on Ebay of all places, but I don’t think the reserve was met. So it still sits, but its not advertised locally as being for sale. At least the roof has been stabilized. I always thought this would make a great restaurant, sitting right on the snowmobile trail as it does.
As far as Calumet is concerned I think there’s two types of building owners out there, those in the majority that have a real interest in rehabilitating their structures for the communities long-term gain, and those few individuals that hope to make a quick buck off flipping them. Because their structure is “historic” owners will sometimes crank the price up based on “potential”, even though the building is a mess. I think some are waiting on the park service to sweep in and buy it up from under them for a good price.
I know of a few buildings that have had nothing done to them since I’ve been up here but still have a abnormally high asking price. Needless to say they are still for sale, and slowly rotting away.
explorer | June 16, 2008
Actually, those timbers along the edge of the platform are to keep the platforms surface in place, usually, the platform sits higher than the track. It gave a nice solid edge to whatever surface was there.
They are still built that way, and depending on who’s paying for it, the surfaces could be brick, blacktop or concrete.
Gordy Schmitt | June 16, 2008
Thanks Gordy, I should of known better about the platform. I know the platform at Painesdale (along the Copper Range) was also concrete, so I should of made the connection. This station was built after the turn of the century, so concrete could very well have been used. (or perhaps that asphalt stuff is the original material)
explorer | June 16, 2008
More than likely the name on the door would have been Baggage Room. Plus the mail slot would fit, way back, the mail was handled on the train, so you could drop your letter right there as long as it had the postage on it. It would be sorted in the mail car,
Gordy Schmitt | June 16, 2008
The marker in the last photo is a benchmark, basically a surveyor’s mark which denotes a known location and elevation. They are frequently put into sidewalks or the sides of buildings, because they’re expected to stay put for a long time.
Some of the more interesting benchmarks in the Keweenaw include the top of the Quincy #2 Rockhouse, which of course is still there. But others include the top of the Quincy #6 Rockhouse and the old Franklin Mine watertower, which are both long gone. Some were as simple as “triangular rock between two large oaks”.
dcclark | June 16, 2008
Offered on ebay? Wow I missed that…remember what the price was?
Bill | June 16, 2008
It was a reserved bid, and when I saw it no bids had yet been placed. At that time the auction was almost closed, so I don’t think they got any offers. I remember the description very much touted the building’s historical significance, but provided little details to its actual condition.
explorer | June 16, 2008
This is one of those projects that will need an investor group. I very much doubt, especially in these questionable economic times, that the Village of Calumet or the KNHP have the funds to go in and do a complete restoration.
As mentioned above, a historically-themed restaurant might be a decent business model, but the overhead required to stabilize the structure, obtain permits and licenses, restore it, decorate it, and perform the necessary modifications to convert it into a building suitable for food service would be enormous.
Sadly, this one of many historic buildings in the area that is quite likely to disappear. Get your pictures now folks.
Tim | June 16, 2008
Here’s an interesting article from today’s Daily Mining Gazette:
Calumet Looks at Maintenance
The Calumet Village Council is considering the possibility of a “minimum maintenance” ordinance that would apply to buildings.
Tricia | June 18, 2008