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Idlewild: Michigan’s “Black Eden”
Idlewild’s Founding: A Vision for a Black Resort Community
In 1912, two couples from White Cloud—Erastus and Flora Branch, as well as Adelbert and Isabelle Branch—joined two couples from Chicago, Wilbur and Mayme Lemon, and A.E. and Madolin Wright, to establish the Idlewild Resort Company. This company envisioned transforming Idlewild into a resort destination for the middle-class and professional Black community in the Detroit and Chicago areas. Over time, this vision also expanded to include the black community from other cities.
A Haven for Black Land Ownership and Leisure
Segregation restricted movement and land ownership to the white community. Still, Idlewild became a place where the black community could own homes and businesses and engage in many leisure activities, such as swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting.
Arthur Briggs at the Flamingo, 1958
The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of Idlewild
At its peak (1920-1963), Idlewild became Michigan's "Black Eden". It became a haven for black families, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. With the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, Idlewild saw a population decline, and soon, the once-vibrant life force dwindled to a few year-round residents. In 2003, the community of Idlewild established the Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center. Visitors could step back in time and learn of the history of this once bustling community.
Some of the notable Idlewild residents were:
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, an African-American doctor who performed the first open-heart surgery in 1893, established Providence Hospital in Chicago in 1891, the first non-segregated hospital in the US.
W.E.B DuBois- Co-founder of the NAACP in 1909. Established "The Crisis," a newspaper dedicated to the black community the same year.
Madame C. J. Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in the US. In 1906, she founded the C.J. Walker hair care system for African Americans in Pittsburgh, PA.
Famous Musicians:
Duke Ellington
Will Mastin Trio
Louis Armstrong
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Sammy Davis Jr.
Stevie Wonder
To name a few…
The Flamingo Club
Look into the wonder that is Idlewild
From 2020 to now, the renewed interest in Idlewild from 2022 to now, interest Id, volunteers, and projects, and volunteers, state and federal aid have positively impacted bringing Idlewild back to life.
For more information, visit the Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center:
Off US-10 Highway
7025 Broadway Ave.
Idlewild, MI 49642
Read:
Idlewild, The Black Eden, Images of America by Lewis Walker and Ben C. Williams
Idlewild: The Black Eden of Michigan by Ronald J. Stephens
Idlewild: The Rise, Decline, and Rebirth of a Unique African American Resort Town by Ronald J. Stephens