KORESHAN STATE PARK

 

This rocker with its view of the Estero River is shared with WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.   It looked inviting on the hot afternoon of our visit to Koreshan State Park.

 Koreshan State Park and Historic Site was a day trip destination last Sunday when we took a break from getting ready for our summer road trip.

      

The park lies on the banks of the Estero River.   This property was formerly the site of the Koreshan Unity Settlement, one of many communal societies which sprung up around the turn of the (19th) century.   The Koreshan founder, Cyrus Teed, envisioned it as a "New Jerusalem", and himself as the new Messiah (Koresh is the Hebrew translation of Cyrus).   He began recruiting members in New York, moved to Chicago and, in 1894, relocated to the Florida frontier. 

 Koresh had some rather odd scientific views, including the belief that the entire universe existed in the center of a giant sphere.   

He was definitely a charismatic leader though, because his followers worked for an entire year in the heat and bug-filled swamp to build a community from the ground up.  The town eventually included homes for members, a dining hall, performance hall, bakery, sawmill, store and school.  Education and cultural opportunities were important to them and for some time time Koreshan was a thriving settlement, with people from the surrounding community, as well as commune residents, taking advantage of the stores and cultural events.   

 

The founder died in 1908 and, when he was not resurrected as his followers had believed he would be, membership began to decline. In 1961, the four remaining members donated the 305-acre property to the State of Florida.     Many of the settlement buildings and some of the landscaping and gardens are preserved as they would have been when Koreshan was at its height.

In addition to the historic site, the park also includes a campground, boat launch, and several nature trails.  It is near the town of Estero, which is just south of Fort Myers, an easy drive for us.             

Comments

[Carletta]

I think I'd like to fill that spot in the empty rocker! :)

[Ebie]

Sigh, our parks here are in the verge of closure due to funding.

[Pam]

A porch with a rocker is inviting.. it calls, 'come and sit awhile'. I am grateful the parks save historic places such as this.

Safe journeys, Sallie
Pam

[Barb]

I'd be sitting on that rocker, fanning myself!

[Inger-M]

Interesting piece of history!

[Annie]

I'm always afraid by peope envisioning themselves as new Messiahs ! But the place looks beautiful ! I hope the beginning of your trip is fine !

[JM]

What a fantastic setting for a cabin! I would gladly sit on the rocking chair and listen to the sounds of nature. Great composition.

[Francisca]

That an interesting and rather thought-provoking bit of history, Sallie. Amazing there were still even four members of this community left fifty some years years after Teed's death.

[dianne]

I love the porch, so close to the water
a wonderful spot

[Sondra]

Im glad they gave it to the state! A real life Guru eh?

[jennyfreckles]

What an educational post. It looks like an interesting place to visit.

[diane]

What an interesting story. It must have been hot work establishing the settlement. Hoe nice of the owners to donate it to the state. I hope it is kept as a museum.

[Lady Fi]

What an unusual story. The place looks lovely.

[Sylvia Kirkwood]

What a fascinating post for the day and I love your photos and great reflections! Thanks for the history! Hope you have a great weekend!

Sylvia

[Martha]

Our nation has so many historic gems, many in danger of losing funding. It is amazing what we can learn by visiting historic sites.