New book by Lewis Walker and Dr. Ben Wilson recalls glory days at famed Michigan resort, Idlewild.
Governor Lauds Idlewild Resort in Honor of Black History Month
Black Eden, Founded in 1912, Thrived Through Jim Crow Days Then Languished
February 21, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's weekly radio message focused on Black History Month paid tribute to one of Michigan's most storied, and forgotten, resorts.
It also implicitly recalled the days when Negroes found it easier to have their own resort rather than trying to seek acceptance at so-called "white" accommodations.
Fifty years ago even so-called "high class" hotels in Michigan would not accept colored patrons and going to a public restaurant often was a gamble for traveling black families.
Nestled along the shores of the Pere Marquette River, among the trees of the Manistee National Forest, is the resort community of Idlewild.
Founded in 1912 and dubbed Black Eden, Idlewild attracted tens of thousands of African American visitors from every corner of the country.
Among them were some of the most influential figures in the African American narrative, such as Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, who performed the first successful open-heart surgery in the United States, and Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, the towering intellectual who co-founded the NAACP.
Idlewild played host to great cultural icons, too. Musical legends like Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong, and Aretha Franklin honed their craft in front of the lively crowds at the Flamingo Club, the Paradise Club, and the Idlewild Club House.
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Among the 25 African Americans cited by Michigan History Magazine as Michiganians who left their mark on the nation and the world were many Idlewild visitors -- people like heavyweight champ Joe Louis, Motown legend Berry Gordy, Jr. and musical genius Stevie Wonder. Idlewild is where three of the Four Tops met their wives.
Following the enactment of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, African Americans were able to enjoy other resort destinations, of course, beyond Idlewild, yet the community's significance to the African American journey -- and to Michigan's story -- is as important as ever.
"Keeping these stories alive is a shared responsibility," said the governor. "That's why last year, I was proud to announce nearly $94,000 in federal and state grants to boost the revitalization and preservation efforts taking place in Idlewild. Those grants will help make Idlewild a prime destination for cultural tourism and give it the recognition it deserves in the National Register of Historic Places. I also established the Idlewild Centennial Commission to celebrate the resort's 100th anniversary in 2012.
"There's no question that redevelopment efforts like those underway in Idlewild are great news for Michigan. From an economic standpoint, they create new jobs and pump dollars into local businesses, and they also help preserve an important piece of Michigan history and African American culture for future generations.
"African American history is, indeed, central to Michigan's history, and one of our greatest strengths today comes from our vast diversity of people, ideas and talents.
"So as we celebrate Black History Month, I urge you to take time to learn the stories of places like Idlewild. It's just one, beautiful example of the inextricable links between African American history and our great Michigan tradition. There are many more though ? too many to fit into February's short 29 days.
"To really appreciate the richness of Black history in Michigan, we must examine it, celebrate it, and learn from it every day of the year," she concluded.###