Paranormal Factor

Idlewild, Michigan is a very beautiful area with a rich past. Nestled within Lake County in Michigan, it was a resort community for African Americans during the period of segregation; and many famous and influential people spent their time there. Famous actresses of the likes of Aretha Franklin performed there. I hear stories that when segregation ended, so did the high period of Idlewild. They abandoned their resort homes in some cases. An area so steeped in history surely has to have left a mark on those that were there. I now have cause to believe that some of the Idlewilders never left.

My dad purchased a vacation home fixer upper in Idlewild, Michigan; within Cherry Valley Township. We had quite a bit of work to do on the home, it was built in the thirties or forties. It had been abandoned since around the seventies. There were some unusual things there. I found old furniture, a pull out bed with a storage and several old, musty handmade quilts inside. There were very old canned goods in the cupboards, layers of very old wallpaper; and rotted walls and ceilings. I found literature on Dr. Martin Luther King circa the time period he was speaking in. Next door were two other abandoned homes which were so broken down there were no doors or windows. In one home there was cans of food in the cupboard even though the house was falling apart around the cupboards. In another home there were forgotten photographs of those that once spent time there. A forgotten lady in a dress, a little girl having a birthday party; a mother and her son.

The house we bought was touched by tragedy. We had found out from a neighbor that the lady that last lived there was wheelchair bound, and there was evidence of this in the front yard; where a rotted wooden wheelchair ramp led the way to the door. We tore it down; it was of no use. We also found out that she went fishing one day and drowned. We learned nothing more. As I looked around at our new vacation property, I couldn’t help but see the old Idlewild in it. The piles of fourties, fifties, and sixties glassware in the back yard told of the good times of Idlewild. I imagined fresh paint on the houses, music and joy coming from the homes; but it was eclipsed by a kind of sullen sadness. It was, afterall; forgotten.

I have to admit, when we began working on our project; I was very overwhelmed. I was also very creeped out. It was very strange to be there. It felt like I didn’t belong. That was the distinct feeling I got. One night, as I and my toddler daughters were in bed; I heard a thumping noise that lead me to believe that my oldest daughter had gotten out of bed. I sat up to see a black shape rushing out of the room It was about the height of my daughter. I heard footsteps rushing away. I was so sure it was her, I began to move out of bed to run her down. That was when I noticed that both of my daughters were still in bed. I was very alarmed, but not surprised. I had received some strange vibes from the place.

I also had a chocalate lab by the name of Cocoa. When I stayed at the home by myself with my children, I shut the door to my room. There was something about the doorway with a view to the living room that I didn’t like. Many times, Cocoa would fall asleep on the couch in the living room and I would let her stay there. The home was so far in the woods, I worried that someone may break in. Many times I wondered why I stayed there alone with my two small children. I think it was because the days were so wonderful. Every night that Cocoa stayed in the living room alone, I would awaken to her barking. I could here her running in circles as she barked. Many times, she was so frightened she had an accident.

One time, my fathers girlfriend was alone in my room while my father was hunting. It was night and she had left the door open. I never did. I don’t know why but I always felt like something was watching me. She heard footsteps, and thinking it was my father; she looked up to the doorway. She then claimed that she seen a tall African American man standing in the doorway. He was misty in appearance. He did not seem to notice her, and faded away. Another time when she and my father were staying at the cabin, she seen a ghost walking towards the bathroom.

Recently, I have stayed at the cabin again with my daughters. One night around 3 a.m. as I lay in bed, and suddenly felt that strange feeling again. I then felt cold all over. I then felt the blankets lift off of my feet. I slept with the light on after that. Every time I stay there, I here footsteps in the living room. Though very eerie, I have not felt threatened by the presence, and I even apologize to it for the drastic changes in the home that may be confusing my unseen friends.

Despite the strangeness of these experiences, I return to Idlewild and to the cabin often. What a fascinating, historic place. Definitely worth visiting to see a ghost or two; even if Idlewild is just a ghost of what it once was.

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