AHMEEK

Region: Keweenaw Peninsula

Built as the local interurban passenger station (1907-1932), this prominent Ahmeek building is now a popular ice cream parlour with striking marble counter gracing the oak soda fountain.

The village grew up near the four shafts of the Ahmeek Mine, opened in 1903. The Kingston Mine and Allouez Mine were also nearby. "Ahmeek" means "beaver" in Ojibwa, and beaver were plentiful in the area. Ahmeek developed a small commercial area because of its location on the Mineral Range Railroad and later an interurban. Like several other Keweenaw County towns along U.S. 41, Ahmeek is looking perkier lately. Business from summer visitors has induced several people to restore old buildings and open shops, including a coffeehouse/gift shop.

The former interurban waiting room and generator station on U.S. 41 was a local gathering spot, grocery, and ice cream fountain when streetcars ran from Houghton to Mohawk, starting when the station was built in 1907 and ending with the streetcars' last run in 1932. The first phone in Ahmeek was here. The Station serves Jilbert's ice cream in summer. Picnic tables are outside, but be sure to go inside, too, if it's open. Check out the marble counter of the oak soda fountain, the back bar, and the tongue-and-groove wainscoting. Former owner Mark McEver's work has put the station on the state and national registers of historic places. The art gallery once here is now on Shelden Avenue in downtown Houghton. (906) 337-0350.

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PLACES AROUND AHMEEK TO

Eat Sleep Camp