Calumet Remembers Those Lost 110 Years Later

This year marks the 110th anniversary of remembering the lives lost in the Italian Hall disaster. On the evening of December 24th, 1913, Miners and their families while amid the Copper Country Strike gathered at the Italian Hall in Calumet to celebrate Christmas. During the festivities, it was reported someone shouted fire. A  panic ensued, and the western upper peninsula would feel tragedy on the day of peace. 73 people, including 59 children who attended the Christmas party died in the rush to escape. Controversy remains to this day surround the event and the identity of the person who called out Fire. Today, an archway is all that remains of the original structure. In 1984 the Italian hall was demolished and converted into a historic site park. Behind the archway, a memorial was erected bearing the names of those who died. In the years since the tragedy, the community has gathered together to remember those lost during a candlelight vigil. 73 luminaries will be placed at the site. Those planning to attend the ceremony will gather at the Italian Hall historic site in Calumet at dusk on Sunday. The Italian Hall historical site is located at 7th and Elm in Calumet. Find more information here.