Oak Street Inn & Mineral Range R.R. Depot - Calumet, MI

08/12/2026

05/29/2026

You might say that the Oak Street Inn also likes quirky items related to Copper Country history. There's a lot of neat things out there at garage sales - here's a neat one.

This platter, made by Arthur D. Moretta has no date but it hearkens back to a time when Mount Ripley had a ski jump? Maybe the Quincy mineshaft 6 was still standing - before it burned down and the Seaman mineral museum was in what looks like an old mining building.

Anyone have any memories of these things?

05/28/2026

Bumped into Pam and Steve! Friends of the depot and all around fun people - who like rocks and minerals more than your average hound.

They also like neat quirky historical stuff, like this Joe Kirkish framed print. You can see much of their collection at their quirky restaurant, the Miners Cafe in Laurium.

So one day having breakfast I see this cool depot image on the wall and just like that - a small town gesture - Pam says you can have it for the depot.

It's a new beginning for Calumet. I can feel a good vibe. Thanks Pam and Steve!

05/23/2026

One of the best parts of being involved in the train station restoration is meeting wonderful people. Duane and Diana Lyon are examples of people who share the excitement of railroads and history.

The depot archive and museum was just a dream a year or two ago and now it will become a reality. The museum will be housed in the former baggage area on the North end of the depot.

The Bill Lohela historic document and photo collection, the Vince Foster artwork collection and the Lyon's recent artifact and train set donations will be viewed into the future to help preserve our amazing local story. Doug and Lucy Nakkula also donated - original to this depot - a baggage cart and scale.

The enthusiasm is building, order is being restored, pieces are falling into place and with the continued joint effort of our community - we will accomplish an amazing feat for the Copper Country, the State and Nation.

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

We appreciate our followers and supporters! Therefore you are entitled to a free sticker. Grab yours at Copper World in Calumet. Just say, SAVE THE DEPOT!

Thanks!

04/14/2026

April 11th, 2026 and all's well! The sun came out for an adventure. Snowmobile, then ski and hike to Fish Cove. Awesome views out over Keweenaw Bay, of Bohemia and Bare Bluff! Some rock hounding too!

The Keweenaw is a wondrous gift.

04/10/2026

The depot was built in 1908, after the previous one was destroyed by fire. The new structure was designed to be functional and beautiful. Marble baseboards, obscured glass panels, delicate fixtures, mosaic tile floors, elegant eaves and impressive restroom fixtures delight.

And one standout feature. One that was literally part of every ticket sale over 6 decades. The ticket office grill.

George Gipp bought a few tickets for sure, Schmalzel too, and maybe Houdini. And people of every walk of life.

It has survived! Parts missing, tarnished and forlorn. We are restoring it by machining new parts to match the old ones. Brass rod and sphere, and threaded brass rod the parts. A drill press, a tap for threads, a punch, and a few odd items the tools.

Stay tuned - it's almost time to reassemble it and place it in its home, the depot ticket office window.

04/04/2026

Mother Jones. This first photo shows her walking down Oak Street in Calumet from the Depot. A firebrand of labor activism, she held a great presence wherever she went across the country. This photo shows a couple of big guys protecting her and onlookers with heads lowered out of respect.

The Mother Jones story is one of great interest for the Copper Country.

The wood carving was commissioned by a local collector many years ago and remains safe in a nearby location. Really great work.

03/31/2026

Check out this ad from around 1910. The depot and the nearby grocery and saloon - across the street (now the Oak Street Inn) worked together. No doubt Michael Schmalzel did quite well in this location serving cold beers to folks coming from and going to the depot. Imagine a hot dusty summer day along the tracks just thirsting for a chance to shake Michael's hand, and cool off.

His Saloon was so prosperous that his name is on the stained glass above the front door of Saint Paul's church.