History

The Agassiz House Inn was built circa 1890 by Alexander Agassiz, President of Calumet & Hecla Mining Company (1871-1910). We suspect that the house was used for him and other mine board members or investors to stay while visiting to check on mining operations. Although it is an extremely large and beautiful home, the original property is not ornate or extremely decorative and appears to not have been a primary residence but more of a place to stay while conducting business. 

Alexander Agassiz was a Swiss - American scientist and engineer, born on December 17, 1835, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He was the son of the famous naturalist Louis Agassiz. After immigrating to the United States in 1846, Alexander pursued his education at Harvard University, where he studied engineering and zoology.

In 1866, Agassiz became involved with the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. The company was struggling at the time, but Agassiz took on the role of superintendent and later president, transforming it into one of the world's leading copper producers. He introduced modern machinery, safety measures, and community improvements, significantly impacting the local economy and society.

Under his leadership, the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company became a major player in the copper industry, producing more than half of the copper in the United States from 1871 to 1880. The town of Calumet grew around the mine, and Agassiz's influence extended beyond mining operations to include schools, libraries, and churches in the community.

Agassiz continued his scientific research, making important discoveries in oceanography and coral reef studies. He passed away at sea on March 27, 1910, during a return trip from an expedition.

The statue of Alexander Agassiz was originally placed in Agassiz Park in 1923 however it has since been moved to sit beside the previous Calumet and Hecla Public Library just across the street from the Agassiz House Inn.

The Calumet Visitor Center (98 5^th Street, Calumet) provided by the Keweenaw National Historical Park provides a wealth of information regarding Alexander Agassiz, mining operations and our entire community history.

Industrial Calumet: A guide to the Calumet & Hecla Copper Mining Company's industrial site. Isle Royale Natural History Association.

For more information please visit Keweenaw National Historical Park's website at https://www.nps.gov/kewe