History — The Building

Opened in 1913–14, the Colosseum is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating indoor ice rink in North America, and the National Park Service considers it the oldest purpose‑built hockey rink in the United States. Its longevity comes from a mix of sturdy early‑20th‑century engineering and constant community use.

Design & construction (1913)

  • Structure: three‑story, barrel‑roof arena carried by eight massive metal arches; a dramatic 50‑foot electric “Colosseum” sign once spanned the ridge line.

  • Multi‑use plan: the ice sheet could be covered with removable wooden flooring for roller‑skating, dances, fairs and conventions.

  • Operations: early ice was tended by local iceman Charles Nyberg.
    These features made the building a true civic hall as much as a rink.

Opening & early years (Jan 1914–1941)

  • Opened: public skating January 1, 1914; first hockey game January 6, 1914 (Calumet Wolverines vs. Portage Lake Pioneers).

  • Ownership: built in 1913 for general community use; sources note the Calumet Storage Company as the builder/owner.

  • Role: hosted skating, hockey, roller‑skating, dances and large community gatherings; upstairs ballroom supported year‑round programming.

  • Regional anchor: after Houghton’s Amphidrome burned in 1927, area teams used the Colosseum while Houghton rebuilt.

Armory era & shared use (1942–2005)

  • Armory fire: when Calumet’s National Guard Armory burned on January 9, 1942, the State of Michigan purchased the Colosseum and renamed it the Calumet Armory.

  • Dual purpose: the Guard used the building while the Calumet Hockey Association leased the ice each winter for community skating and games.

Modern refrigeration (1968–1970)

  • Artificial ice was installed during 1968–69 with full‑season ice by 1969–70, stabilizing the schedule and lengthening the season.

Return to township & restoration of name (2005)

  • The Township traded land for a new armory, regained the building, and restored the historic Calumet Colosseum name. Community programs and renovations followed.

Hall of Fame upstairs (2011)

  • The second‑floor ballroom became home to the International Frisbee/USA Guts Hall of Fame, celebrating another Copper Country original.

Hockeyville upgrades (2019)

  • Winning Kraft Hockeyville USA 2019 brought $150,000 in upgrades plus an NHLPA equipment grant. Projects included a new ice plant (refrigeration system), dehumidifier, improved heating and sound, and refreshed locker rooms.

  • The Colosseum hosted the Detroit Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues preseason game on September 26, 2019.

Today

  • Seating for ~700, active home for the Calumet Hockey Association and Calumet Copper Kings, and still a community venue for skating, events and celebrations — more than a century after those first blades hit the ice.”

Timeline — The Building

  • 1913: Construction begins on a barrel‑roof arena supported by eight steel arches; designed for both winter ice and community events, with a rooftop “Colosseum” sign.

  • January 1, 1914: Opening Day — public skating debuts at the new rink.

  • January 6, 1914: First Game — Calumet Wolverines vs. Portage Lake Pioneers.

  • 1920s: Multi‑use hub — wood planks cover the ice for roller‑skating, dances, and conventions; the upstairs ballroom hosts year‑round gatherings.

  • 1942–2005: From Rink to Armory and Back Again — After a devastating January 9, 1942 armory fire, the State of Michigan purchased the Colosseum and rechristened it the Calumet Armory. For more than six decades it pulled double duty—drill hall and community hub—with winter ice leased to the Calumet Hockey Association. In 2005, a land swap returned the building to Calumet Township and restored the historic Calumet Colosseum name.

  • 1968–1969: Installation of artificial refrigeration begins, modernizing the sheet.

  • 1969–1970: First full season on artificial ice extends the calendar.

  • 2011: The International Frisbee/USA Guts Hall of Fame opens in the upstairs ballroom.

  • 2019: Kraft Hockeyville USA win funds a new ice plant, dehumidification, heating & sound improvements, and locker‑room refresh; the rink hosts an NHL preseason game.

  • Today: Seating for ~700; home to local hockey and a year‑round community venue within the Calumet Historic District.

Sports & Community

Early Copper Country hockey
The Keweenaw had a rich hockey culture before 1913; the Colosseum’s first game on Jan 6, 1914 (Calumet Wolverines vs. Portage Lake Pioneers) extended that tradition onto new indoor ice.

A regional standby (1927–1928)
After Houghton’s Amphidrome burned in 1927, teams and events shifted north to Calumet until the New Amphidrome (Dee Stadium) reopened.

High‑school & community hockey
With artificial ice by 1969–70, high‑school, youth and adult programs expanded, and the Colosseum cemented its role as a year‑round hub.

Big‑league moment (2019)
The NHL preseason game during Hockeyville week capped more than a century of continuous winters of hockey in Calumet.

Early Copper Country Hockey
The Keweenaw has hockey in its DNA. By the time the Colosseum opened, the region already had a rich tradition of competitive teams and rinks. On January 6, 1914, the Colosseum hosted its first game — Calumet Wolverines vs. Portage Lake Pioneers — beginning a storied run of local and visiting teams on our ice.

A Regional Anchor
After the 1927 fire that destroyed Houghton’s Amphidrome, area teams — including Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Tech) — played home dates in Calumet while Houghton rebuilt, underscoring the Colosseum’s role as a regional standby.

High School & Association Hockey
The Colosseum is home to the Calumet Copper Kings and the Calumet Hockey Association, supporting youth through varsity levels. With the arrival of artificial ice in 1968–70, high‑school hockey returned in full and the local schedule expanded dramatically, including conference play with nearby rivals.

Figure Skating & Roller Derby
Beyond hockey, the rink supports figure skating programs, public skating, learn‑to‑skate, and seasonal roller derby — keeping the surface busy and the building buzzing.

NHL Comes to Calumet (2019)
As part of the Kraft Hockeyville victory, the Colosseum hosted an NHL preseason game between the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues on September 26, 2019 — a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience that showcased the Keweenaw’s passion for the game.

Community Events, Then & Now
From early‑century dances and conventions to today’s festivals and resource fairs, the Colosseum has always been more than an ice rink — it’s a gathering place for everyone.

Timeline — Sports & Community

  • January 6, 1914: First Faceoff — Calumet Wolverines host the Portage Lake Pioneers on brand‑new indoor ice.

  • 1910s–1920s: Local rivalries — semi‑pro and community teams pack the schedule alongside public skating.

  • 1927–1928: Regional anchor — after Houghton’s Amphidrome burns, teams shift games to Calumet until Houghton rebuilds (New Amphidrome/Dee Stadium).

  • 1930s: Broad participation — community leagues expand; figure skating exhibitions and women’s games appear in local schedules.

  • 1940s: War‑era seasons — hockey and public skating continue under the Armory name with community support.

  • 1969–1970: Modern era — full‑season artificial ice fuels high‑school, youth, and adult league growth.

  • 1970: Conference play — formation of the Lake Superior High School Hockey Conference with Calumet competing against regional rivals.

  • 2000s–2010s: Program depth — sustained CHA development, figure skating programs, and seasonal roller derby.

  • September 26, 2019: NHL in Calumet — Detroit Red Wings defeat the St. Louis Blues in a Kraft Hockeyville preseason game.

  • Today: Home ice for the Calumet Copper Kings and Calumet Hockey Association; frequent tournaments, public skating, and community events.