Comments on: Mineral Range Depot (Calumet)

By: Tricia

Tricia — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:07:38 +0000

Here’s an interesting article from today’s Daily Mining Gazette:

The Calumet Village Council is considering the possibility of a “minimum maintenance” ordinance that would apply to buildings.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:38:30 +0000

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.

By: explorer

explorer — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:17:11 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:04:13 +0000

Offered on ebay? Wow I missed that…remember what the price was?

By: dcclark

dcclark — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:27:16 +0000

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”.

By: Gordy Schmitt

Gordy Schmitt — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:28:32 +0000

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,

By: explorer

explorer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:46:26 +0000

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)

By: Gordy Schmitt

Gordy Schmitt — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:42:58 +0000

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.

By: explorer

explorer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:35:42 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:18:59 +0000

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.