A Historic Site of a Strange Utopian Community

Koreshan State Park is a historic site of the former "Koreshan Unity." The Koreshan Unity was “quite possibly one of the most bizarre” communal utopias developed in the nineteenth century.

Throughout its history, Florida has welcomed pioneers of all kinds. Cyrus Reed Teed was probably the most unusual, bringing followers to Estero in 1894 to build New Jerusalem for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere (see model in photo).  

The chief beliefs of the Koreshans were cellular cosmogony, reincarnation and immortality, celibacy, communism, equality of women, and a belief in Teed's inspired leadership.The colony began fading after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state.

We went on an excellent tour of the Koreshan historic site with a tour guide — it was fascinating!