 CULTURAL |
 UNDER 10 MILES |
 LOCATION |
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Idlewild | ||||
| Exact Location: Lake County- Closest access from the trail is 7.5 miles via 76th St. and back streets. Easiest access is off US 10, three miles east of Baldwin. | ||||
Night clubs, gaming facilities, the centrally located lake, and surrounding forests made it an ideal vacation spot. Many notable black musicians performed there including Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Della Reese, Aretha Franklin, and many more. After desegregation, the village slid into decline, but community effort is bringing back the charming nature and cultural heritage. Most of the cottages are tiny, with many in disrepair, but each year a few more are being restored or torn down if they are beyond saving. There is an ongoing effort to save the Flamingo Club building. In 2013 a two-mile loop walk around the lake was added. This is mostly on streets, but many interpretive signs allow people to learn about notable African-Americans who vacationed in Idlewild and identify their summer homes.
The Historic Cultural Center includes a museum and rooms large enough to accomodate a convention. Also see Lake County | ||||
Sources: Historic Idlewild Idlewild African American Chamber of Commerce personal experience | ||||
| Every effort is made to provide up-to-date accurate information, but errors are bound to occur. Please contact explorer@exploreNCT.info about errors, corrections or additions. | ||||
| Main Index MI Lower Peninsula Index |
| The North Country National Scenic Trail is 4800 miles long, spanning eight states. For more information, visit the North Country Trail Association |
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