About Idlewild
JAZZMIN House is in the heart of historic Idlewild, a vacation community in northwest Michigan’s Lake County. It is one of the oldest and most famous historically African American resorts in the United States.
Founded in 1912, Idlewild quickly became a popular destination. Visitors enjoyed a wide variety of pastimes, such as horseback riding, roller skating, and swimming. To accommodate the crowds, hotels and nightclubs dotted the landscape.
Parties were practically endless. In its heyday, numerous night clubs offered live entertainment, music revues, dancers, and showgirls. Well-known entertainers were a constant presence from the 1920s through the 1960s. Consequently, black vacationers and white residents of Lake County came to enjoy Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Jackie “Moms” Mabley, Della Reese, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jerry Butler, Billy Eckstine, Stepin Fetchit, Etta James, B.B. King, George Kirby and many more.
Book your stay with us in Idlewild today!
Call (231) 299 – 0603
Although desegregation ushered the end of Idlewild’s heyday, it still attracts people from the Midwest and beyond. Nestled in a corner of the Manistee National Forest, Idlewild is a jewel surrounded by serene landscape.
Today, Idlewild’s strong artistic and intellectual roots, are honored by numerous annual events and festivals. Three main lakes – Idlewild, Paradise and Tank – offer the opportunity to enjoy boating and other water sports. Moreover, Idlewild is a popular fishing destination.
Idlewild’s natural beauty, visitors’ and residents’ love for the community and their shared hope for the future is palpable.
Idlewild is forever!