KALEVA TOUR

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Kaleva History

Our town first became known as Kaleva when the Michigan Land Society secured a Finnish land agent by the name of Jacob Saari from Brooklyn, New York, to sell land in this vicinity and induce Finnish people to make a settlement here. In 1900 Mr. Saari moved here and with him came John Haksluoto who built a home on the site of the Charles Brooks home on Industrial Avenue. Other pioneers arriving here in 1900 were the families of Jacob Lemponen, Kalle Hendrickson, Matti Kemppainen, Antti Myllyla and John Palomaki. The late Vieno Haksluoto Hagelberg Kaskinen was the first Finnish child born in Kaleva. The late Edward Lemponen was the second. Mr. Saari named the town Kaleva, a name which was taken from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. More information about that epic is available further down this page. Click on the image of the Historical Marker to your left if you are interested in reading the inscription.

The Land
In the year 1900 the Michigan Land Society surveyed the village into lots. The names of the streets were also taken from the Finnish epic, Kalevala--Aura, Osmo, Kauko, Tapio, Tavi, Louhi, Panu, Sampo, Metsola, Wuoksi, etc. Previous to 1900 the town consisted of the depot, a post office connected with it, a small store owned by John White and one house on the location of the Frank Dickson home on Walta Street. The house was used as a boarding place for the section men on the railroad. There also were a few lumber camps. The first postmaster was Frank Shimmel.

The Depot
The Kaleva Depot Museum opened in June 1998. The museum is a completely restored depot built in the early 1900's which serviced the Manistee and Northeastern (M&NE) and the Pere Marquette railroad systems until the 1970's. The depo now houses the collection of local train buff, Sonny Miller, and other original railroad memorabilia. The unusual angular shape of this building was to provide services for two trains at the same time, the M & NE and the Pere Marquette. These two companies were in competition to get to Kaleva first. The Pere Marquette won. Hours: Open Saturday (Memorial Day to Labor Day) 12:00-4:00. Staffed by N W Train Enthusiasts Club.

The Newspaper
In the fall of 1901 the Finnish Publishing Co. which published the newspaper, "Siirtolainen," meaning "Immigrant," moved here from Brooklyn, New York. The newspaper, housed in what later became the drug store, had national circulation and through it Finnish families in America learned of the Finnish settlement in Kaleva. As a result many came here in 1901 and 1902 and more in 1903 and later.

Early Struggles
Life for the Kaleva pioneers wasn't easy. Many of them had to clear space on which to build homes. In fact there were stumps on the main street. The land wasn't very fertile and there wasn't much money. However, the Finns were determined to make their livelihood and establish homes for their families. It must have been their Finnish "sisu", or perseverance, which kept them struggling in spite of their many hardships.

Religion
Christian faith of the Finns was strong. They were God fearing and God loving people. They realized the importance of Christian worship and Christian education. The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, now known as the Bethany Lutheran Church, was organized on January 12,1902. The organizational meeting of the church was held at the railroad depot on January 12,1902. Sunday School held its first session on February 16,1902. The Temperance Society, Kalevatar, was also organized on January 12,1902. The Temperance Hall was built next to the church, and made available for use in December 1902. At first, worship services were held in homes and then in the Temperance Hall. The Finnish Lutheran Church was built in 1913. It burned down in 1969. The new church building was built and dedicated in 1970. The Wesleyan Church had its first services on August 17,1939 and organized as a church on April 7,1940. It closed its doors in 1989. The Kaleva Baptist Church began its services in 1950 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Wiitala and the church was built in 1951.

Education
In addition to Christian education, the children of the newly settled town needed public school education. At first the pupils attended a small school house about three quarters of a mile southwest of the village. The first school was built in 1904. It burned down in 1912. A new school was built in 1914. On July 13,1914, at the annual meeting of School District No. 5, Maple Grove Township, a decision was made to change from a primary school system (K-8) to a graded school (K-12). The first high school class was graduated in 1917. The Kaleva High School was placed on the accredited list of the University of Michigan on June 30,1928. Area rural schools were consolidated into the Kaleva Rural Agricultural School in 1935. New elementary classrooms were built in 1960. The Kaleva School consolidated with the Norman Dickson Township Schools in 1963 and is now known as the Kaleva Norman Dickson schools with an elementary school in Kaleva and Wellston and the middle school and high school in Brethren.

Business
The Union Store was organized in 1907 and the Haksluoto Brothers Meat Market in 1908. Other early businesses were John Makinen's Grocery Store, the Drug Store. Dickson Hotel, Manner Hotel and Kaywood Hotel. Our first doctor was Dr. W. E. Coates who moved here from Onekama in 1911. Not only in his career as a doctor, but in many ways Dr. Coates served his fellow men faithfully until his death in 1928. Coates Highway was named for him. The picture to the left is of Kaleva's Best Foods, the main grocery store in town. The first store in Kaleva was built in 1901 and burned down in 1910. The Finns brought the concept of cooperatives to America.

The Bank
The bank of Kaleva was established in 1912 by C. Billman and Sons, Bankers. Now our bank is the Kaleva branch of FMB Security Banks. (Since taken over by Huntington National Banks.) Also of note, the movie entitled "Car99" was based on the Kaleva robbery which happened on January 5, 1933. It was a national event because it resulted in the first two way radio manhunt in history. Electric lights and power became possible in Kaleva in 1926. The village of Kaleva was incorporated in 1948. Robert Rengo was the first president/mayor. Other officers were John Rengo, Charles Dodt and Richard Brotherton.

Historical Facts
The Kaleva Historical Museum was dedicated in 1982. It not only is a Michigan Registered Historical Site but also was placed on the National Register of Historical places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Also of Historical importance is the Bottle House Museum. A popular tourist attraction, the bottle house was built by John Makinen out of 60,000 bottles from the local bottling factory. Today it houses the Kaleva Historical Museum. The hours to visit are Saturdays from 12:00-4:00 during the summer months. Be sure to see this unique house which is on the National Historic Register.

Today in Kaleva
Today our village is a thriving community with profitable businesses and industries. We have stores, restaurants, churches, a beauty shop, a barber shop, a flower shop, a school, a bank, a post office, a branch library, a doctor, service clubs, the fire department, telephone company, lumber company, funeral home and even a county road commission garage. The Kaleva Cemetery pictured on the right is home to many Alanko Family relatives.

Not just a Finnish Community
Kaleva is no longer considered just a Finnish community as it was in the beginning. Newcomers with various ethnic backgrounds have come to make their contributions to the advancements of our town. However, many second and third generations of the early settlers are still here with names such as Asiala, Beldo, Hakala, Harju, Hendrickson, Hill, Hiipakka, Hulkonen, Holso, Jouppi, Kaskinen, Kemppi, Kuuttila, Leppala, Lemponen, Lindroos, Luhtanen, Makinen, Mannisto, Niemitalo, Nyrkkanen, Pihl, Puustinen, Rengo, Troppi, Tuisku, Wiitala and others. I am pleased that the Brethren High School Service Learning Class has taken such an interest in Kaleva's history and its heritage. Students and teachers are to be commended for their many projects.

A historical marker commemorating the founding of Kaleva in 1900 by Finnish immigrants was erected and dedicated in 1978. It stands on Wuoksi Avenue in downtown Kaleva and reminds us of the brave pioneers who founded this great little village of Kaleva of which I am happy to be a native resident and daughter of Kaleva's first Finnish family.

Esther Haksluoto Puustinen - May 1997

Additional Reporting by Ernst Roeseler - November 2002

Kaleva Today

Founded by Finnish settlers this Northwest Michigan village offers the quality of life that is vanishing all too rapidly in today's society. Life is slower, savored more fully, close to nature. And if you happen to forget to lock your doors, nothing changes.

KALEVA is located in the center of Manistee County. Ten miles from Lake Michigan, 25 miles from the National Music Camp at Interlochen, 8 miles from Crystal Mountain Resort, 20 to 45 miles from larger cities for shopping, hospitals and healthcare.

We enjoy all four seasons of climate from the antiseptic beauty of Winter, to the renewal of Spring, the warmth of Summer and the blazing glory of colors in the Fall. Activities such as skiing, ice fishing, golfing, swimming, and hunting are right outside our back door. There are miles of trails through the majestic natural resource that is the Manistee National Forest...there for all to enjoy. You need to see deer racing and jumping for cover with white tails flagging their departure. And wait until you view the frenzy of giant Salmon spawning in our streams under a canopy of Fall color.

Enjoyment of the national pastime is provided for in the Summer with baseball and softball leagues on our diamonds. The youngsters play T-ball.

The Totem of the Kalevala Our roadside park is a popular spot providing overnight camping. Many community gatherings are held here during warm weather. The aroma of charcoal smoke finds friends and neighbors and organizations sharing fun and food piled on brightly covered tables. You'll find families here picnicking and holding family reunions with the kids playing and running freely about.

The Village of Kaleva was founded by Finnish immigrants in 1900. Many streets still have quaint sounding Finnish names - a challenge to pronunciation and a source of uniqueness to the visitor. The names where taken from the Finnish National Epic "The Kalevala." The totem pole to the right is called The Totem of the Kalevala. Each figure of the totem pole is from the epic poem, The Kalevala. Vainamoinen portrayed at the base of the totem pole, symbolized power and knowledge. He taught that good triumphs over evil, especially in Kaleva, "the land of the good". The Moon and Sun represented day and night, and the cycle that brought each year. The duck is the Messenger that helps Vainamoinen discover his true powers. The Wolf symbolized war and the harshness of survival in Arctic Finland. The Owl, Reindeer and Bear represented animals, which the Finns treasured and respected.

The office and home of the village's first doctor, Dr. W. E. Coates who came to Kaleva in 1911 still exists in an excellent state of repair. Well kept homes and yards with lovely flower gardens attest to the conservative, caring influence of Kaleva's Finnish heritage. All the Village streets but one sport paved and curbed surfaces keeping things neat and orderly looking. Few villages of Kaleva's size can boast of this amenity.

We are well blessed, for a community of about 500, with diversified commercial establishments. We have our own branch bank, post office, retail stores, restaurants, beauty shops and gas stations. Our own dentist and doctor are cherished assets. A farm supply store provides for the agricultural endeavors outside the Village. The County Road Commision operates a satellite garage in the Village. Fire protection needs are provided for by an excellent volunteer fire department.

Oil Exploration in Kaleva Diversified farming has existed in the area for many years. Farmers grow fruit, potatoes and vegetables. More recently, oil exploration and production activity has taken place in the Salina Niagran Formation. Kaleva is positioned exactly above it. This activity has provided many jobs. The industrial park is located just off all season county roads 669 and 598. Imagine driving five minutes to your own plant--or even walking. No bumper to bumper grid lock in Kaleva. The park at the north edge of the Village is connected by a paved and curbed street to each of the county roads. A water system supplies the park in which three industries are currently located. We have just enough room for your plant and a skilled work force to operate it.

Yes we have school spirit and a fine educational system as well. There is an elementary school in the village and junior and senior high is located five miles away. The high school band does a rousing good job at parades and Memorial Day Services.

Our spiritual needs are met with a Baptist and Lutheran church in the village and a catholic church ten miles away.

Active service clubs reflect the personality of a community and Kaleva is no exception. The Lions Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars post are always there for the things that need doing. Both organizations also have very active auxiliaries. The Lions Club has charge of our Fourth of July festivities in the Village Park.

Conributions from the 1992 brochure by: Art Luthanen, Sulo and Hazel Hulkonen, Dagny Sharp, Esther Puustinen. Additional Contributions from Ernst Roeseler, 2002.

The popular Kaleva Tavern - CLICK FOR A LARGER IMAGE