Town and City Scenes--Idlewild

Black and white photograph from Grass Point in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of Lake Idlewild at Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the dining hall at the Club El-Morocco. The Club El-Morocco hosted such acts as Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph from circa 1940-1950 of the Club El-Morocco in Idlewild, Michigan. The Club El-Morocco hosted such acts as Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Idlewild Clubhouse dining room in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Color photograph of showgirls at the Paradise night club in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Color photograph of the Paradise Club in Idlewild, Michigan at night. The Paradise Club hosted such acts as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of Bra-Haven, a popular bed and breakfast in Idlewild, Michigan. Bra-Haven was built as a response to the huge influx of vacationers to Idlewild. The town was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of a baby lying on a porch in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Idlewild Clubhouse, which functioned as the central meeting place for resorters in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Tabernacle A.M.E. Church (African Methodist Episcopal) in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph from circa 1940-1950 of the Idlewild Clubhouse in Idlewild, Michigan, which functioned as the central meeting place to resorters. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Purple Palace night club in Idlewild, Michigan. This night club was a popular source of entertainment for vacationers in Idlewild, hosting acts such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of Buster Henderson's cottage in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Log Cabin Store in Idlewild, Michigan, which provided visitors a place to buy food and gas. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Paradise Club in Idlewild, Michigan. The popular nightclub was built by Herman and Lela Wilson in 1922 on Paradise Lake. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the bridge onto the island on Lake Idlewild at Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph from circa 1940-1950 of the White House Tea Room in Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the Oakmere Hotel in Idlewild, Michigan, owned by Phil Giles - the former president of the Idlewild Chamber of Commerce. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of guests at the Paradise Club in Idlewild, Michigan, which hosted such acts as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph from circa 1930-1940 Harry's Grocery and Meat Market in Baldwin, Michigan, near Idlewild, Michigan (image is part of the collection of Idlewild photographs). Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."

Black and white photograph of the First Baptist Church of Idlewild, Michigan. Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation destinations in Michigan during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was also one of the only vacation spots in the United States where African-Americans were allowed to purchase property and vacation until such discriminatory practices were abolished in the 1960s, and was known as the "Black Eden."