Located in Estero, Florida, Koreshan State Historic Site is an interesting place to visit in southwest Florida.
Address: 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero, Florida 33928
Phone: 239.992.0311
FEES:
Entrance:
- $5.00 per vehicle (2-8 people)
- $4.00 single occupant vehicle
- $2.00 per pedestrian, bicyclist, or extra passengers
CAMPING (includes water and electricity):
- $26.00 + tax per night as well as a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee
- Florida residents 65+/disabled persons receive a 50% discount
GUIDED TOURS: $2.00/adult and $1.00/child
ADDITIONAL FEES:
- $4.00/boat ramp
- $10.00/dump station
- $7.00 first hour/$5.00 additional hours for canoe rental
- $10.00 first hour/$5.00 additional hours for single kayak rental
- $15.00 first hour/$10.00 additional hours for tandem kayak rental
Activities: Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, nature trail, interpretive exhibit, playground, camping, fishing, geo-seeking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, historic sites, and pets are welcome.
OPEN DAILY 365 DAYS A YEAR 8:00 to sunset
HISTORIC SETTLEMENT OPEN 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
History of Koreshan:
Cyrus Reed Teed brought 200 followers from New York to Florida in 1894 to build his “New Jerusalem” for his faith- Koreshanity. Dr. Teed took the name ‘Koresh’, which in Hebrew is the translation for Cyrus meaning ‘Shepard’. The community peaked between 1903-1908 when it had over 250 residents. Apparently, there were another 4,000 believers across the country. Teed’s vision was to create a Utopian society of 10,000,000+ people with streets up to 400 feet wide.
Some of Koreshanity’s beliefs:
- Reincarnation- people are reborn
- Immortality
- Celibacy to achieve immortality
- Collectivism- living communally as everyone participated in sharing work and received no monetary compensation
- Alchemy
- Believing the entire universe somehow existed within a giant, hollow sphere. Members would conduct experiments that they believed verified their beliefs.
- God being both male and female
11 buildings are maintained as historic structures that date from 1882-1920 including:
- Printing facility
- Boat works
- Cement works
- Sawmill
- Bakery
- Store and hostelry
The day to day affairs of the settlements were governed by a council of women called “The Seven Sisters” who lived in a common house called the Planetary Court.
Education, science, and art shaped the community and the way they lived their lives.
The colony faded following Teed’s death in 1908. In 1964, the remaining 4 members deed the land to the state which became an historic site.
Information provided by : https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Koreshan
Koreshan park events: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-events/Koreshan
Pictures provided by Shanna Weber and video provided by Southwest Florida Television