Discovering Black Eden
Welcome to the historic paradise of Idlewild Michigan! This series of geocaches is dedicated to this historical resort area where thousands of black Americans would while away their time or find themselves grooving to the greats of decades past. Whether you are “Idle men or wild women” enjoy your time in Idlewild as you discover what was once known as Black Eden!
This cache is located at the lake access of Paradise Lake. You are looking for something quite out of place. Don’t worry, you don’t need to go into the facility.
Paradise Path, Herman and Lela Wilson
Herman O. and Lela G. Wilson came to Idlewild in 1915 as part of the first excursion from Chicago sponsored by the Idlewild Resort Company. On this visit they dreamed and determined that this was a land of opportunity with a bright future. In 1921 they moved to Idlewild and built their first home in the newly founded African American resort. Their first home was a log cabin in the woods west of Lincoln Park on Lynndon St. Following the couple’s success in selling lots in their first plat, they purchased more land ranging from the railroad tracks on the north side of Paradise Lake, and south along Forman Road to Baldwin Road. Eventually the Wilson’s owned sums of land all over Lake County with an estimated value at $250,000.
Mrs. Wilson, fondly called L.G. by business associates, built homes and commercial buildings throughout the area. The current Idlewild Post Office building on Essex Boulevard is one of the buildings that she built. The famous Paradise Club and the Paradise Hotel were also part of the Paradise Resort Complex. The Wilsons played a significant role in the development of Idlewild as one of America’s leading resorts.
In 1922 the Wilson’s purchased the Frank Haven farm, an 80 acre parcel of land which ran east and west from Tampa Ave. to Tacoma Boulevard and north and south from Baldwin Rd. to the southern shore of Paradise Lake. IN the middle of this plat they developed a wide two-lane road with a median strip. The road was named Paradise Path, and it ran north and south from Baldwin Rd. to Wilson Rd. This was the main road into the Paradise Lake Resort Complex. The Wilson's built their home from large stones collected throughout Idlewild by Lela Wilson. They also built a hotel, clubhouse, bed and breakfast, and several guest cottages as part of the Paradise Resort Complex.
Today you can still see the stone home, now owned by Joe and Fredna Lindsey, as well as the two stone pillars that once flanked the entrance of Paradise Path.
Information and photos sourced from Idlewild: The Black Eden of Michigan, By Ronald Jemal Stephens
This cache’s content was created by the Ferris State University Historical Task Force in collaboration with gregg1199 who provided the coordinates and volunteered their time. Thank you!