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The Morton's Motel

It is with great consideration that Morton's continues to provide rest and refuge in the spirit of its initial intended design. Morton’s Motel is a modest lodging space in the heart of Black Eden.

Morton’s Motel is currently stewarded by Blair Evans and Susan Matous (HIPS). As the caretakers of one of Idlewild’s few remaining historic structures, great thought and attention is considered in the services and plans to keep Morton’s open to serve the needs of the Idlewild community. It is with great consideration that Morton's continues to provide rest and refuge in the spirit of its initial intended design. Morton’s Motel is a modest lodging space in the heart of Black Eden. We are surrounded by several Idlewild lakes within walking distance and in the middle of the Manistee National Forest. We welcome our guests with warm customer service and provide clean and comfortable accommodations.


In 2011, after the previous owner lost Morton’s Motel to bank foreclosure, a small group of Idlewild residents came together to rescue the Morton’s Motel - a “Negro Motorist Green Book” listed historic motel. It was slated to be sold to a privately held prison-owned facility to serve as housing for guards. This group of Idlewilders combined resources and activated willpower to keep the Morton’s Motel open to serve the community as it was designed and intended.

Ten plus years later Morton’s Motel continues to provide; an additional place for many extended Idlewild family members to stay year after year, new visitors in search of experiencing Idlewild for the first time a place to rest and connect, as well as organizations and clubs a place to host their group activities in the historic Black community of Idlewild.


Motel services range from individual lodging, family & class reunions, organization retreats, small festivals and community events.


The historic Morton’s Motel continues to provide:

  • Lodging within the Idlewild community.

  • Indoor & outdoor meeting and event space.

  • Broadband Internet.

  • An on-site restaurant.


Morton’s Motel Collaborative Projects Include:

  • IdlewildEats Restaurant

  • experience. idlewild. Pop Up Shops

  • Petty Propolis Artists Retreat

  • Return of Idlewild Music Retreat

  • Idlewild International Film Festival

  • Gumbo in the Wild & Chili Cookoff Gone Wild Cookoff Series: Quality Auto, Lake County Merry Makers, Shop Idlewild & Idlewild Concierge

  • Kris Johnson’s Album Release Concert w/ Nicolena4U Massage Therapy

  • Boo & View Community Halloween Event: IdlewildEats, Idlewild Lake Association, Detroit Idlewilders, Mid-Mi Youth Committee, Idlewild Concierge, Tate’s Management, Lake County Merry Makers, Shawn Ware



contact info

Morton’s Motel

6389 Tacoma St.

Idlewild, MI 49642

Mailing:

PO BOX 373

Idlewild, MI 49642

mortonsmotel@idlewild-mi.org

https://www.mortonsinidlewild.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mortonsinidlewild


link to support or get involved

mortonsmotel@idlewild-mi.org


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