The Palestra was a 4,000- to 5,000-seat arena best known for ice hockey, even hosting a Detroit Red Wings exhibition.

The building opened on December 16, 1904, with a professional game between Portage Lake and Calumet.

The building remained open through the population decline of the Copper Country in the mid- to late-1910s.

In 1964, the Iron Rangers hockey team received permission to heat the building with portable heaters.

After the move, the Palestra served as the home rink for the semi-professional Marquette Iron Rangers from 1964 until 1974.