Bitely in Newaygo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Woodland Park
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 28, 2021
1. Woodland Park Marker
Inscription.
Woodland Park. . During the 1920s, investors Wilber Lemon, A.E. Wright, Marion and Ella Auther, and others purchased land at Brookings, a former logging community. Here they platted Woodland Park as a summer resort for African Americans. These investors were also involved in developing the nearby resort Idlewild. Woodland Park, known for its quiet, residential atmosphere, had a clubhouse for property owners and lodging establishments, including the Royal Breeze Hotel. The Authers built the hotel around the original Brookings Lumber Company mill. Federal Civil Rights legislation passed during the 1960s gave African Americans equal access to public accommodations. This access allowed people to vacation where they pleased and lessened the need for resorts like Woodland Park.
During the 1920s, investors Wilber Lemon, A.E. Wright, Marion and Ella Auther, and others purchased land at Brookings, a former logging community. Here they platted Woodland Park as a summer resort for African Americans. These investors were also involved in developing the nearby resort Idlewild. Woodland Park, known for its quiet, residential atmosphere, had a clubhouse for property owners and lodging establishments, including the Royal Breeze Hotel. The Authers built the hotel around the original Brookings Lumber Company mill. Federal Civil Rights legislation passed during the 1960s gave African Americans equal access to public accommodations. This access allowed people to vacation where they pleased and lessened the need for resorts like Woodland Park.
Erected 2009 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2200.)
Location. 43° 42.772′ N, 85° 51.475′ W. Marker is in Bitely, Michigan, in Newaygo County. Marker is on 11 Mile Road near 27th Avenue,
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on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2316 11 Mile Rd, Bitely MI 49309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 801 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 29, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
