MICH. GHOST TOWN: The Eerie, Deserted Neighborhoods of Idlewild
Michigan’s almost-forgotten town, Idlewild, is nowadays considered a ghost town by some, even though a decent number of people still live there. It's labeled a 'ghost town' due to the vacated neighborhoods: block-after-block of deserted homes and yards. Many whole blocks are completely deserted & vacant except for the crumbling shacks that were once homes. But in it’s day, Idlewild rivaled most big cities when it came to entertainment.
According to the descriptive history of Idlewild, it was referred to as “the Black Eden from 1912 through the mid-1960s, Idlewild was an active year-round community and was visited by well-known entertainers and professionals from throughout the country. At it's peak it was the most popular resort in the Midwest and as many as 25,000 would come to Idlewild in the height of the summer season to enjoy camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, roller skating, and night-time entertainment.”
Big names came there to perform: Aretha Franklin, Four Tops, B.B. King, Della Reese, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughn and many, many others. In fact, B.B. King was very fond of Idlewild and wanted to perform there again; but he passed away before he got the chance.
Nowadays many of the neighborhood blocks are deserted & ghostly – a sad reminder of what Idlewild was up until 1964.
I urge you to visit the town’s webpage by CLICKING HERE and read the incredible history and founding of this Michigan town, located in Lake County, 37 miles east of Ludington.
I went to Idlewild a few years ago and the remaining residents there are very friendly and eager to bring attention back to their area. It's a cool place to visit, even though driving down those deserted neighborhood streets can be somewhat creepy!
Visit there sometime…you’ll like it and enjoy exploring!
(If you DO visit, there are plenty of photo opportunities and places to explore, but remember to be very respectful of old homes and properties by obeying any 'No Trespassing' signs.)
Take a look at the video below about Idlewild.....
...and then watch the documentary below on Idlewild. It just may convince you to visit sometime soon!