Idlewild, Michigan was formed as an African-American resort community in the early 1900s.
Situated just east of Baldwin, in the northwestern corner of Yates Township, in south Lake County, the community is clustered around several lakes and other bodies of water, including Idlewild Lake, Paradise Lake, Foreman Lake, Tank Lake, Spruce Lake, and Watermill Lake.
The chief route to and from the community is US-10, with runs east-west north of the community, while Forman Road is the main north-south route. Cities and villages within twenty miles of Idlewild include Baldwin, Reed City, and Luther, while the unincorporated community of Chase is less than ten miles away.
As an unincorporated community, Idlewild does not have defined borders, but the community is concentrated around the lakes, extending south along Forman Road, perhaps as far as the Middle Branch of the Pere Marquette River.
By 1912, Michigan had a small but yet significant African-American middle class, many of them professionals or small business owners in several of the state's urban centers, and elsewhere in the Midwest. While they had the financial means, racial segregation made leisure travel difficult for African-Americans. There were too many places in which they were not welcomed.
Sensing opportunity, four white families organized the Idlewild Resort Company (IRC) in 1912. Erastus Branch, one of the principals in the Company, built a cabin and homesteaded the land for three years in order to secure the land rights, eventually obtaining the title to the land.
IRC organized excursions to the area to attract middle-class African-Americans from Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and other Midwestern cities. Advertisements offered lots at $1 down and $1 per month, sold through IRC's real estate firm of Branch, Anderson, & Tyrrell, and highlighting the opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, and horseback riding.
Although Idlewild was founded in 1912, it was not an immediate success. In 1915, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a prominent black surgeon, purchased property there, where he lived until his death in 1931. His presence attracted many of his associates in Chicago, and it wasn't long before other black physicians from other Midwestern cities were buying retirement or vacation homes at Idlewild.
Known as the "Black Eden of Michigan," Idlewild became an active year-round community that was regularly visited by well-known entertainers and professionals from throughout the nation. The Pere Marquette Railway established a station at Idlewild, running its Resort Special with sleeping cars from Chicago and Detroit, via Grand Rapids, from June to September, stopping in Baldwin, where another train would take passengers another five miles to the Idlewild Station, and east to Saginaw.
A post office was established on August 18, 1923. Abraham L. Jones was offered the position as postmaster, but he declined and Susie J. Bantom took the position on September 26 of that year.
The decline of Idlewild came about with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. When other resorts around the country were no longer permitted to discriminate against the black population, several other options were opened up to middle-class African-Americans who could afford it. Many chose to visit Florida beaches and Las Vegas casinos, instead.
In 1966, the trains quit running to Idlewild, and the 1970s recession further depressed the Idlewild economy, leading to a sharp population decline. Today, although the community still has a population of roughly a thousand, many entire blocks are deserted, and buildings that were once homes and black-owned businesses are falling down. Once boasting more than three hundred businesses, the town's only remaining store, Road Runners, is a typical one-stop convenience store.
Attempts to turn the decline around continue, however. The Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center offers a self-guided driving tour of the community, the National Idlewilders Club organizes annual events, and the Idlewild African-American Chamber of Commerce continues to promote existing businesses and to seek new ones, as well as attracting visitors to the area.
The focus of this guide is on the community of Idlewild, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources for the community, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events.
Recommended Resources
The site serves as a tourism promotion and online ambassador for the Idlewild, Michigan community, in partnership with local organizations and businesses. Several photos of the community are provided, along with a calendar of upcoming events, photos and information about past events, and a photo gallery. Guest accommodations in the historic African-American resort community are featured, with addresses, contacts, information, and website addresses, where applicable.
https://www.experienceidlewild.com/
Offering four lakefront cottages with private beaches on Idlewild Lake, in the historic neighborhood of Idlewild, Michigan. Besides the lakes, the Manistee National Forest is nearby, along with the Pere Marquette River. The cottages, on Payne Drive and Lake Drive, are featured by address, with descriptions, photographs, and a list of amenities. Area attractions and events are highlighted, and available cottages may be booked online. The office address, phone number, and email are provided.
https://www.clubidlewild.com/
Historical Idlewild Tours & Services
Tours and services to and within historic Idlewild, Michigan are provided, and the site offers a description of available tours, including the amount of time for each, prices, and online bookings. Opportunities for those interested in volunteering as educators or community organizers are presented, with contacts, applications, and other details, and an online shopping area offers promotional apparel and other gift items, which may be purchased through the site. News and updates are included.
https://www.idlewildtours.com/
Idlewild African American Chamber of Commerce
From the early 1900s through the mid-1960s, Idlewild, Michigan was one of only a few resorts in the United States where African-Americans could purchase resort property or vacation. The IAACC was formed in 2000 to promote existing local businesses, and to attract new ones to the community. Board member contacts are posted to the site, along with maps, photo albums, census data, and a calendar of events. Also included are an opinion page, news, updates, and a list of sponsors.
http://www.iaacc.com/
Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center
Organized in 1973, the Idlewild Historic & Cultural Center was designed to be a center for education and performance activities, particularly for the purpose of giving opportunities for education and art appreciation for Lake County youth and adults, with artists often invited to visit and teach. The building also includes a museum and gift shop. Seasonal hours and policies for group visits, as well as facility rentals for meetings and events, are set forth, along with contacts.
http://www.historicidlewild.org/
Situated in the heart of historic Idlewild, Michigan, one of the oldest and most famous historically African-American resort communities in the country, the vacation world is on Tank Lake, and includes three comfortable beds, a full kitchen and living room, two bathrooms, a patio, main deck, and dining deck, designed in an atmosphere that honors the community's cultural history. Several photographs are displayed, an availability calendar is posted, and a contact form is presented.
http://jazzminhouse.com/
Located near the Manistee National Forest, down the road from Paradise Lake, and near Idlewild Lake, the Pere Marquette, and Pine rivers, the motel does require a two-night minimum stay, with the first night rental fee due at the time of booking. The features and amenities of the hotel are listed, along with policy information, directions, and a list of area activities. Room and event space rental rates, and other possible fees are posted, and a gallery of photographs and videos are included.
https://www.mortonsinidlewild.com/
