Houghton County Historical Museum

Originally offices of mining giant Calumet & Hecla which for years was the world-leading producer of copper, this 3-sotry building is now filled with old artifacts from decades past

The Houghton County Historical Society is located on part of the enormous, once imposing Calumet and Hecla Torch Lake Smelter site where at its peak in 1915 huge quantities of ore were processed into copper ingots. Since 1961 the Society has provided a focus for the unique history and artifacts of the largest copper mining district in the world.

An authentic old steam engine takes visitors in a loop around the Houghton County Historical Society grounds

The Society maintains and exhibits a diverse collection of artifacts in a three-story brick museum building located on Highway M-26 on the outskirts of the Village of Lake Linden, Michigan. The museum building was erected by Calumet and Hecla to serve as an office building and medical dispensary in about 1917. The museum building exhibits items donated or created locally with rooms dedicated to local artifacts, clothing, war and weapons, mining, and numerous photographs, and other items of local interest.

The Historical Society grounds have a number of other exhibits, including the Lake Linden Mineral Range Railroad Depot and the Traprock Valley one-room Schoolhouse.

A railroad now runs from the depot through the mill site, beside the Lake Linden Village Park on Torch Lake over a trestle, and back to the depot. The train operates during the summer and fall on weekends. particularly interesting. Rail fans can apply to drive the steam engine.

The Calumet and Hecla fire hall now houses the museum's gift shop. It sells books on local history and other items of interest.

On M-26 south of downtown Lake Linden. (906) 296-4121. Open
from June through middle of SeptemberTues-Sun 12 to 4, Sun 12-4. The trains run Sat & Sun 12-4. Tours by appointment given any time of year. Fee includes train ride. Cost to view the buildings: adults $5, seniors & students $3, children under 6 free. Train rides are $4 for adults, 3 for seniors and students. children under 6 $1. Wheelchair accessible: ground level of main museum (i.e., the basement, entered from the side) and most outbuildings.
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