National Park Service This recent photo of the DSS&A (Mineral Range) Depot shows that while the structure remains basically sound, it requires extensive restorative work, including new windows and a new roof.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP — Calumet Township, which currently owns the former Mineral Range Railroad depot on Oak and Ninth streets, in the township, is in the process of closing on the sale of the building. the township announced last year its intention of selling the building. The announcement stipulated that the prospective buyer would be required to submit plans to rehabilitate the depot, including what the intended plans for the former depot and project timeline.

At the regular February meeting of the Calumet Township Board last Friday, Township Supervisor Tim Gasperich said only one person submitted a bid with the required plan. The prospective buyer expressed a desire to remain unidentified during the closing process.

“If the closing is successful, I will be happy to talk about the plans I have for the building,” he said in a telephone interview, adding he should know with certainty in the next two weeks.

The former depot is significant to the history of the Calumet area. Nearly every immigrant or immigrant family arriving in Calumet at the turn of the 20th century arrived by train. At the time, Calumet averaged five passenger trains per day coming and going. The Mineral Range Railroad reached Red Jacket in 1873.

In 1892, the Mineral Range line was acquired by the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) Railroad, which constructed the depot in 1908. It replaced a smaller depot that was built in 1873. On the main floor were ticket offices, waiting rooms and men’s and women’s bathrooms. On the second floor were the offices of the dispatcher, clerks and the railroad superintendent. The depot remained in use until March 1968, when the last train left Calumet.

In 1999, John and Jane Griffith purchased the building with the intention of converting it to a restaurant and a gift shop on the first floor, and bed and breakfast lodging on the second floor. The township and the Griffiths began discussions on the township purchasing the building in 2009.

The township purchased the structure in January 2017 for $40,000. At the time of the purchase, township Supervisor Paul Lehto said the primary reason for the purchase was to preserve the building from further deterioration. In 2018, the township approved a request for a $6,000 grant from the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

At the time, Lehto said the grant would fund getting electricity in the building, possibly a toilet and accomplish some interior cleaning. At the time of the purchase, it was estimated that complete renovation could exceed $500,000.