Idlewild, the 'Black Eden' of northern Michigan, ramps up to be rediscovered 

History that I would like to see in person

My Great Grandfather Dave Campbell migrated here from Mississippi and lived until his passing in 1983. i wished we had kept his house in the family.

Nicely done ms Laurie person. WE appreiciate good positive news.please keep it coming

Thank you so much, that was a wonderful story.

God bless us brown skin folk Frfr cause we have been through hell lord have mercy God bless us we are truly legendary

Idlewild is still jumping!! People from Chicago, Ohio, NYC & Detroit go up for Idlewild week/August 11-18th. Prices have risen but still good food and company. Use to be a skating rink there off Idlewild Lake where everyone hung out for skate parties, dance hall parties and BBQs. Skating rink closed by Lot Owners and they moved events to another area off lake. Check out the schedule for Idlewild Week 2024. Hit the Red Rooster Bar for after hours. They even have Glam Camping!!

Our podcast was created back in 2020 because we felt that this type of content wasn't really being covered in mainstream media. We are so glad to see that finally more of this history being mentioned on local news! #blackin2020

Im a 66 yr old Michigan resident , born & raised. Took a day trip wth my Dad over 20 yrs ago for a job he had and drove through Idlewild on are way to Manistee. I never knew about it as he told me some of its history. Pretty interesting.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the beginning of the end for many black-owned enterprises.

Can't wait to visit one day!

Keep it black ❤❤

My Aunt used to own a Motel in Idlewild when she was still alive...

This place looks wonderful. Is this the Idlewild that the movie was made about ?

But the winters🥶🥶🥶. Good to see my folks making beautiful strides. I’ll be watching for Blues Festival there✊🏾🥰🥰

When Idlewild comes back I'm going to travel up to spend a vacation 🤎🖤 God Bless Us 🙏🏾

Amazing ❤

VERY. WONDERFUL 😇😇😇😇

I’m definitely going to take a trip. ❤❤❤

I would love to see an Idlewild Renaissance! This reminds me of a small forgotten resort town named Medicine Park in my state of Oklahoma. When I was a kid, we’d drive through it on the way to Mt. Scott and wonder what an amazing place this place must have been in the same timeframe as Idlewood. Well in 2000, a friend rented a cabin right off the little river that wound through town. When I arrived, I expected the ghost town but I was greeted by a vibrant energy and excitement and music and a great deal of friendliness from the townsfolk that put their blood sweat and tears into reviving this important (and mostly forgotten) piece of Oklahoma history. I hope that Idlewood gets to experience this special feeling too and revive the best of their past to share with the future 💖

Thank you for this story.

Seems like rhe perfect place for Magic Johnson, a Michigander, to refurbish, and grow beyond what it once was.

Is this where Outkast got the idea for that movie or was there an Idlewild Georgia?

Now its being quietly taken over by non black investors who are buying lake front property and just holding it and letting it sit to speculate future land value increases..ive looked up land records and saw it myself smh. Its sad to be honest.

I heard about this place before and it is beautiful. It reminds me of all the good times i had as a kid growing up either camping, or staying at my parents cabin up north. Our cousin's had a log cabin nearby, with horses, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. Even though we were real close to Houghton lake and others, we went swimming at a beautiful private lake all summer long, every weekend and holidays. Boy do i miss it.

i pray the FBA people of Michigan can hold on to it and not allow it to be gentrified.

My parents n grandparents went there regularly. I surely hope it doesnt get bought over by the others to take it over

Good stuff!

Hard to believe this is in Michigan. Would love to see it.

its a real disservice to the community and state that all people haven't heard of this. I know that this is tagged as the "black eden" but I think its existence should at the very least be known of by all and i Think also taught about. I would thoroughly enjoy to be entrenched in someone else's culture and history. I am not saying this with a comedic tone either. Everytime I go to a new neighnors BBQ or stop and talk to knew people (no matter that background, race, culture ETC) I really try to just take it all in. I wont lie I havnt been exposed to as much as others but what I have been just makes me want more, to understand more, to simply be welcomed is one of the most amazing feelings you can have. I really hope this 2.0 works out

They ruined it. First time i went to idlewild, years ago, it was in its original state. Later on, they started tearing stuff down for improvements. In doing so, they ruined its character. It used to be charming, a step back in time...😢

Outstanding.

I want to come !

I 🙏 this NEW ADVENTURE is BLACK OWNED otherwise it's just symbolism.

Ooh i hope it does! I knew of it bavk in the day , as i was young and hanging out in bars. The bar regulats were habitues of Idlewild and talked about it all the time. I regret i never went. I was new to Chicago and didnt really grasp what i was missing

We had all of these inspiring places doing the heat of segregation but now we are unable to even build livable neighborhoods and communities. I wonder what happened.

As a black Michigander, the movie hits wayyy different now!

I remember hearing my grandparents talking about Idlewild. I hope the history is not lost in the revival. Some people want to gloss over things but this was a legacy of segregation.

Awesome

❤

What is sad is Melanated people was tricked into believing integration was a step up but it was actually our biggest downfall 😢

We use to drive through on our way to our property in Baldwin.

Nice

Their was a movie made about Idlewild

💜

Welp there goes a good time.😢

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️

50 cent or SOMEBODY BLACK SHOULD have their whole BODY in this. If NOT get on the NEXT one. Once lived Black owned resorts there are plenty awaiting a REBIRTH- 💯% BLACK OWNED.

African American film festival in August.

🎉🎉🎉

They tried Taking everything from these people

She said African American when most of us with lineage that far back have american Indian roots not African

Sorry, can't go. Not vaccinated.

Black is the replacement for Moor and black means cursed. Please stop using their terms.

African Americans?

They gossip and almost all of them related