Under Agassiz's management, the Calumet and Hecla mines rapidly increased production, and by 1870 were producing over half of the United States' copper.

[3] The company prospered under his leadership;[3] in particular it underwent substantial growth between 1880 and 1910, when most of these buildings currently standing in the district were built.

[3] Finally, in 1968, the company was purchased by Universal Oil Products,[3] who closed the Keweenaw mines for good.

[6] The original machine shop was designed around 1882 by Erasmus D. Leavitt Jr., a consulting engineer with Calumet & Hecla;[4] it was used to repair large equipment, including mining skips and trams.

[7] The roundhouse is built of coursed mine rock masonry in the shape of a semicircle with a turntable in the center.

[8] The machine shop was roofed by a low gable, and the eaves and construction matched that of the original structure.

[4] Warehouse number 2 was constructed with rail tracks running through it so that large items could be loaded inside.

[4] Both the original boilerhouse and the addition were designed by Erasmus D. Leavit, Jr., and were intended to supply steam to the nearby enginehouse.

In 1944, the library collection was transferred to the Calumet High School, and the building was converted to office space.

[12] The library currently serves as the Keweenaw History Center, housing historical artifacts and archives.

[citation needed] The building was purchased in November 2020 by Calumet Electronics and will be renovated to serve as its headquarters.

[14] The Miscowaubik Club was originally built as a private home, reportedly in about 1875 for chief mining engineer Thomas Hoatson.