On September 21st, 1921, Shady Rest, a golf clubhouse located in Scotch Plains, NJ (Jerseyland), became the first black-owned golf course in the world. Around 100 years later, through its significant contribution to black culture, arts, music, and entertainment, it was added to the national registry of historic places in the United States.
Cementing its legacy in American history forever.
Being just a short drive from New York City, many stars would travel down to Shady Rest to perform and feel the small town atmosphere Jerseyland provided. A who’s who among entertainers would travel through Shady Rest, as it was mentioned in the Green Book as a safe haven for Black folks.
Billie Holiday, Chick Webb and his band, Louie Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald and W.E.B. Dubois are just a few world-renowned blacks that have traveled through Shady Rest.