December 20, 2013

Koreshan State Historic Site

Estero, FL

The road leading to the entrance of Koreshan State Historic Site 

Look who greeted us when we got out of the car at the Ranger Station. 

We parked and went inside to get info about the park. 

We chatted with Kyle for a few minutes.

The Koreshan Unity was a communal utopia started in the 1870s in New York by Cyrus Teed, a physician and alchemist, who took the name “Koresh”, the original Persian of his name Cyrus.

Teed believed in a unique Hollow Earth Theory that claims the Earth and sky exist inside the inner surface of a sphere.                                                           His unity consisted of a tri-level system of membership.  The outer level was non-believers who were willing to work for the unity.

The Department of Equitable Administration, the middle group, allowed marriage, but sexual relationships were for the purpose of reproduction only.

The third group called the Pre-Eminent Unity, did not allow marriage and practiced celibacy.

In 1894 Teed established a commune based on his teachings in Estero, Florida.  At its peak between1903-1908, the community had over 250 residents. 

Teed had hopes of creating a New Jerusalem city with streets up to 400 feet wide where there would be no crime, tobacco or drugs.   But membership declined following his death in 1908. Several groups split off, one moving to nearby Ft. Myers, but the fact that the Unity was celibate probably contributed to the Unity’s demise.

The Art Hall served as the center for cultural, social, educational and religious activities of the Koreshan Settlement.  Lectures, theatrical productions and musical events were important to life in the Settlement and when open to the public drew large audiences.

Shaun, a volunteer docent, is standing in front of a Hollow Earth model.  

Path leading from the Art Hall

to the Planetary Court

 

 

 

 

 

 

One member of the Planetary Court named Hedwig Michel was the last remaining follower who joined the group in 1940 after fleeing Nazi persecution.  Hedwig served as the second female president and ceded the main portion of the commune grounds to Florida to form a state park in 1961.  Hedwig continued to live on the grounds and upon her death in 1981 became the only Koreshan buried within the park.    

The governing council of the Koreshan Unity was comprised of seven women who lived in this three story house.  Each person had a separate room.

Monte pictured with Kate, one of the host volunteers.

The Bakery was located just west of the Dining Hall produced between 500-00 loaves of bread per day.  The second floor had dormitory rooms.

This cottage was the home to Lillian Newcomb, one of the last residents of the Settlement. 

When asked if she really believed that she lived inside the earth, Lillian replied, "I did until the boys landed on the moon.  When that happened, I knew it couldn't possibly be true."

 

                  Conrad Schlender, was one of the last residents living within the settlement.

He lived in this cottage from the 1930s until his death in 1965.

 

The large machine shop was built primarily to contain

the steam machinery that served the adjacent laundry. 

The line shaft mounted in the ceiling provided power to the laundry and various machinery. 

 

Electric Generator Building 

This building housed the electrical generating equipment for the Settlement. 

This Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine was purchased in 1925 at a cost of $1,932.  It was in service until Florida Power and Light began providing electricity in the area in 1946.

The Koreshans had developed gardens as a place for nourishing the sprit. 

One of The Bridges of Koreshan Settlement 

 

The Guiding Star Publishing House was a lucrative venture for the Koreshan Unity and provided highly advanced printing services for the Unity and the surrounding community. 

The "New" General Store was the most lucrative business venture of the community.  Items available for purchase included groceries, fishing supplies and the famous Koreshan 'risin' bread.  At one time the store was the only stop between Fort Myers and Naples. 

Founder's House 

This building (built in 1896) is the oldest surviving structure

 on the Settlement built by the Koreshans.   

Teed's sitting room 

 

 Before leaving the Historic Site we drove the short distance to campground.  Although the sites are separated with vegetation providing plenty of privacy, they are very narrow and appear to be more suited for small rigs. 

There are two loops with paths leading to a central Bathhouse.

Washers and dryers 

 

Woman's bathroom 

Shower

We really enjoyed touring the Koreshan State Historic Site but I have to wonder what there was about Cyrus Teed that would convince people to leave the comforts available in the big city to begin a new life in a hot, humid, bug-infested wilderness.  They were required to give their property to the Unity and commit to a life of celibacy.