After buying a piece of property in Emmet County, Jean and Stan Douglas ran into a problem- they wanted to open a club but couldn't obtain a liquor license. Why? The spot was previously the location of the infamous Club Manitou, a premier speak-easy run by the purple gang out of Detroit.
Undeterred, the Douglas's opened and operated the coolest hangout Harbor Springs has ever seen- Club Ponytail. The club was for teens, not parents, so there was no need for a liquor license! No more fancy, high-end dinner service as pizza became the delicacy. Rooms once filled with illegal gambling and booze made way for dancing teens and rock & roll.
The music has long since echoed throughout the grounds and tunnels, but the stories remain.
​
​
Take a listen to what the kids heard all those summer nights at Club Ponytail!
​
Featuring:​
-
Marvin Gaye
-
Bob Seger
-
The Animals
-
The Beach Boys
-
The Supremes (Diana Ross)
-
The Temptations
-
The Iguanas (Iggy Pop)
-
Them (Van Morrison)
-
Stevie Wonder
-
And more!
Director Taylor Dueweke sits down to chat with local historian Chris Struble in this two-part interview for the podcast Tales of Northern Michigan's Past.