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It was a safe haven for Black families and became famous for its nightlife.

In the early 1900s, Idlewild was a resort town where Black people could legally buy property. But the 1,300 acres became largely abandoned in the ‘60s with desegregation.

Local 4′s Paula Tutman has been following the story and recently returned to see how the concept of progress is being redefined by generations of Idlewilders.

There’s a house that’s been purchased and is being refurbished by a judge from Detroit, according to neighbors.

And then there’s Doug Brown, now able to work remotely. He sold his home in Florida to live in Idlewild permanently, he is the 4th generation to own property there. His children are the 5th generation.

“For me, there’s a place in my heart that I don’t know how to describe. There’s a feeling that I get when I come to Idlewild that I don’t get anywhere else,” Brown said.

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