Urban Life

At its zenith, the population of the Calumet area reached 88,000, including a broad mix of immigrants and first-generation descendants from more than 20 nations. Calumet's Fifth Street compared favorably with most Midwestern cities, offering everything from a grand opera house and fine restaurants, to dozens of shops and saloons. J.W. Nara was particularly adept at capturing the varied culture of urban Calumet, with its multistoried sandstone buildings, bustling streets, and complex ethnic population.