Tucked away in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the once active Calumet Air Force Station remains. The station played an important role during the Cold War as part of the nation’s early warning radar defense network, primarily for watching for incoming enemy ICBMs. Established in 1951, the station was part of the Air Defense Command’s initiative to monitor and protect U.S. airspace from Soviet threats. Its location, perched on Mount Horace Greely, provided an ideal vantage point for radar operations.
The station was equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems, initially the AN/FPS-3/5 radar, a massive device housed in a distinctive dome. These systems tracked aircraft movement across the skies of North America, feeding critical data to the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), a network of computers and personnel coordinating the country’s air defense. The personnel stationed there worked steadily, maintaining a round-the-clock presence during a time of heightened global tension.
The Calumet Air Force Station was not only a military installation but also a small, self-contained community. It included barracks, a mess hall, recreational facilities, and even family housing. Many braved the isolation and harsh winters of the Keweenaw Peninsula to do their duty.
As advancements in satellite and missile technology rendered radar stations less essential, and as the Cold War winded down, Calumet Air Force Station was decommissioned in 1988. Today, much of the site remains abandoned, though its legacy endures as a reminder of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s role in America’s Cold War history.
What remains of the installation was purchased in August 2021 by Open Skies Project, LLC, with the intention of cleaning up the site for restoration efforts and historical preservation of the site. More information can be found at openskiesproject.org/
