k Koreshan State Park 3800 Corkscrew Road Estero, Florida 33928

A Brief History of Dr. Cyrus Teed And the Koreshans

By: Roger M. Parlin, Ph.D.

A

A Brief History of Dr. Cyrus Teed and the Koreshans

Updated August 2020

Weekly Newsletter

KORESHAN STATE PARK ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to say thanks to all the Rangers, fellow members of the Board of Directors, as well as volunteers and volunteer docents and guides that helped make this State Park one of the best in Florida.

Click here: Become a Friend of Koreshan State Park Call 239-992-0311 or 239-470-0265

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS The following work is a list of the most commonly asked questions, along with the answers by the many thousands of guests that visit our park every year. The original purpose of this publication was to help me when I was new to We encourage you to become a member of the park, to understand the the FRIENDS OF THE KORESHANS. lives and times of the By joining you, help your State Park. Koreshan Unity and their rich history. Become a Friend of Koreshan State Park. Roger M. Parlin, Ph.D. Join Our Efforts. All Membership Levels Tour guide Volunteer and include a 10% discount on items for sale by Member of the CSO Board the Friends of Koreshan State Park at the Of Directors. Ranger Station at the park entrance and the Art Hall on the Settlement grounds. If you KORESHAN STATE PARK are a Resident Volunteer Member, you can [email protected] join for $5.00! Please help us. 239-470-0265 Ranger Station 239-992-0311

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Dr. Parlin received his Teed was a distant cousin of Mormonism's founder, BA degree in Religion in Joseph Smith, who started his religion similarly. 1969 at Trevecca Like some leaders of other groups that formed in the University and his Ph.D. 19th century, Teed took ideas from other places. in Religious Studies in "He drew from every conceivable religion, including 1989 from Pacific Hinduism, Theosophy, and Spiritualism. The University. communal piece was based on the primitive Baptist He retired in 2013 from Church. He drew from Greek mythology even," The Southern Millner says. Teed moved from community to Association, where he community before eventually landing in Chicago. taught for over 20 years, and for a time, he served as While there, he grew his flock and influence. He an Adjunct Professor of Insurance Studies at Edison also became a huge media presence – in some ways, State College. In 2013 he retired from teaching and a media celebrity. Teed never disappointed when it is now a tour guide at Koreshan State Park and a came to feeding reporters incredible stories. And member of the CSO Board of Directors. like other religious leaders, he overstayed his welcome and eventually left. Where did he go next? Millner again: "Teed was on a train one day and things were falling apart in Chicago, and he knew he had to get out. There were mobs after him; there were death threats, and husbands were suing him; he couldn't pay his bills. So he was on a train. And, he heard about this property in Florida."

The property was about 40 miles, by road, north of Estero where Pine Island, Florida, is today, near Fort Myers. He was convinced that this would be the Professor Lyn Millner spent five years researching location of his new Jerusalem. Teed had grandiose and writing the story of Cyrus Teed, a man who plans for the settlement. created his own religion and persuaded a couple of hundred people to believe him. What would drive The Allure of Immortality by Lyn Millner. someone to recruit people into their sect and lead For more on the life story of Dr. Cyrus Teed and the them on a fantastical journey? Probably two things. 10 million people to live in his city.1 Please obtain a The first: his childhood. Millner says: copy of Lyn Millner’s book at the Ranger Station at "He grew up at a time when religion was hugely Koreshan State Park Hardback ($25.00)2 or important in society. And specifically, there had paperback ($20.00) or audio ($7.95) been a real religious fervor across New York, See the profile of the Koreshans on the World and especially in western New York. He had a Religions and Spirituality site compelling speaking voice even as a child. So, his parents wanted him to become a preacher, and becoming a preacher in those days, to give you a frame of reference, was sort of like becoming an athlete today." Teed, claimed to have been visited by an angel. In that visitation, Teed was given what he 1 believed was a great universal truth. But he didn't http://www.gulfshorelife.com/August-2015/Author-Lyn- Millner-Leaves-No-Stone-Unturned-Koreshan-Unity- share it all at once with people, even his followers. Koreshan-State-Historic-Site-Cyrus-Teed/ 2 https://www.wlrn.org/post/cult-leader-part-floridas-rich- history 2

Guided Tours members leaving and without new members joining, the group slowly dwindled. [2] The Friends of Koreshan State Park offer guided tours every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. April Finally, in 1961 Hedwig Michel, (more on her through December and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. later), the only surviving member and president of Wednesday through Sunday, January through the Koreshans religious community, deeded the March. Contact the Ranger Station at (239) 992- property to the State of Florida. The Unity 0311 for additional information. The cost of the tour Settlement then became the “Koreshan State Park." is $5.00 for persons over 12 years of age. Click here In 1967, after the restoring of the eleven surviving to order your tour ticket(s) online. buildings, the Park was given the title of “The

Koreshan State Historic Site.” Then in late 2017, the http://friendsofkoreshan.org/product/historic- name was changed back to Koreshan State Park to settlement-tours/ make it easier for the public to recognize the

location as a State Park. Special Tours If you are requesting information for tours for clubs, homeschool associations, or other groups, please call us as soon as possible to ensure we will be able to fulfill your requested dates.

Who were the Koreshans? The Koreshan Unity started in the 1870s in New York [1], where Teed began preaching his beliefs. He formed short-lived groups in New York City and Moravia. He later moved to Chicago. Teed's followers established a commune in Chicago in 1888 called – The Koreshan Unity. Some members also created a short-lived community in San MILK AND WINE LILEY Francisco (1891-1892). Small church groups existed in other towns.

How did Florida obtain this land as a

Park? Following Dr. Cyrus (Koresh) Teed's death, the Red Founder of the Koreshans, late in 1908, the group Pineapple went into decline; several groups split off from the Unity One such group was the Order of Theocracy. They left in 1910 and moved to nearby Fort Myers. This group, the Order of Theocracy, lasted until 1931. The fact the Unity was celibate did not help, What Are The Attractions Here although celibacy was not the real problem since there was a married status within the Unity.3 Its At The Park? celibates were the highest order. With some The Park, in addition to the Koreshan Unity, has many attractions that draw guests to the Park in the thousands every year. Here are just a few: 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity 3

Botanical Gardens: Mango Eucalyptus, and other fruit-bearing trees, an extraordinary amount of Chinese bamboo obtained from the Ford and Edison Winter Estates, and many flowering trees and plants from a wide variety.

Night Blooming Cactus

AFRICAN SAUSAGE TREE This African Sausage Tree is just outside the Planetary Court. It derives its name from its the fruit, which resembles a sausage. The seed pod is a favorite food of elephants, giraffes, and hippopotamuses. Also, the seed pod may be ground up and used as cattle food. Although humans do not THE CAMEL FOOT TREE eat the sausage-like pods, they can peel the bark off This tree gets its name from its leaf that resembles them and ferment them to make beer. The blood- the shape of a camel’s foot. The tree is native to red flowers of the South African sausage tree India. In the United States of America, the tree bloom at night on long, rope-like stalks that hang grows in Hawaii, coastal California, southern Texas, down from the limbs of this tropical tree. The and southwest Florida. The tree has a beautiful fragrant, nectar-rich blossoms are pollinated by bats, crimson flower. This tree is just outside the Art Hall. insects, and Sunbirds in their native habitat. The mature fruits dangle from the long stalks like giant sausages.

FARMER MARKET Chinese Bamboo

https://www.facebook.com/Koreshanfarmersmarket/

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regions of East Asia and northern Australia. The common name for the Bombax is Red Silk Cotton Tree.5 In the United States of America, the tree grows in Hawaii, coastal California, southern Texas, and Southwest Florida.6 This particular Tree at Koreshan State Park is located just outside the Art Hall.

TURKS CAP FLOWER This spreading shrub, often as broad as it is high, grows THE MONKEY PUZZLE TREE: 2-3 ft., or more. Bright-red, pendant, hibiscus-like The Koreshans imported this species of tree as a flowers never fully open, their petals overlapping to form sapling from across the world, which is indigenous a loose tube, with the staminal column protruding, said to to Queensland, Australia, and drops seed pods as resemble a Turkish turban. Thus, its most common name, large as a football. Two small Monkey Puzzle trees Turk's cap. Especially useful in shady situations. are at the Settlements Blue Trail starting point.

SWAMP MAHOGANY 4 Eucalyptus robusta, commonly known as swamp RED SILK COTTON TREE mahogany or swamp messmate, is a tree native to They are native to western Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, as well as subtropical 5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombax 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombax 6 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanera_purpurea 5

eastern Australia. It is grown in a waterlogged, Growing in low clusters in dry terrain, the saw swampy area. It will reach heights of up to 30 m palmetto produces berries that may be used to treat (98 ft.) high with thick spongy reddish-brown bark urinary infections and prostate land issues. and dark green broad leaves, which help form a dense canopy. The white to cream flowers appear in autumn and winter. Insects eat the leaves which are also food for the koala bear. It is an essential winter- flowering species in eastern Australia and has been planted extensively in many countries around the world. Its timber is used for firewood and in general construction. 7

CABBAGE PALM Florida’s state tree is also called the “chabage Palm” It I widespread and easily transplanted. SLASH PINR Slash Pine is found in the Southwestern USA the slab pine grows from the Carolinas to the Key West and westward to southern Louisiana.

SAW PALMETTO

ORCHID TREE OR CAMELS FOOT TREE 7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity 6

These are easy to grow trees with pinkish flowers scary. It is a historic walk down the shell paths of that resemble an orchids. The twin-loved leaf the Koreshans. Bring the entire family.) resembles a camel foot.

CLICK HERE FOR OTHER TREES, PLANTS AND STRUCTURES FOUND AT KORESHAN STATE PARK

GOPHER TORTOISE Largest gopher tortoise on record Gopher tortoises are dry-land turtles that generally exist in comparatively well-drained, sandy soils usually associated with Longleaf pine and dry oak THE GHOST WALK Sandhills. However, they too live in the scrub, dry For the past 26 years, the Koreshan State Park has hammock, pine Flatwoods, dry prairie, coastal offered guests a view of the life and times of Cyrus grasslands and dunes, mixed hardwood-pine Teed and the Koreshans with a theatrical production communities, and a diversity of habitats that have called The Ghost Walk. The one-hour program been interrupted or changed by human beings, such walks the shell paths of the 110-acre grounds of the as power line rights-of-way, and along roadsides. park, and costumed volunteers act out parts of the Koreshan State Park has several of the slow-moving times and lives of the Koreshans. The Park holds animals for you to view. this event the last two Fridays and Saturdays of January and the first two Fridays and Saturdays of FARMERS MARKET & NATIVE February. PLANTS SALES

Please contact the Koreshan Ranger Station for more The Park holds a Farmers Market every Sunday details or to purchase tickets (239) 992-0311. For a from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Market is open more comprehensive view of the events at the Park. almost year-round! Click here. (By the way, the Ghost Walk is not

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Dr. Cyrus (Koresh) Teed died on Dec 22, 1908, at ANTIQUE ENGINES the age of 69. Every Wednesday and Saturday, in season (January through March) at 11:30 AM in the Historic DR. TEED, THE EARLY YEARS8 Industrial area you can enjoy a demonstration of Cyrus Teed (1839–1908) Founder of the early 1900’s engines. Koreshans. Cyrus R. Teed was a visionary pioneer that came to South Florida, bringing his followers here in Estero, Florida in 1894. Cyrus Teed was the Founder of the Koreshans and believed himself to be a prophet (a special messenger of God). Cyrus was the second son of eight children. He was born in New York State on Oct 18, 1839, in Trout Creek, in Delaware County near Teedsville. Cyrus Teed had only completed the eighth grade, dropping out of school at age 11 to work as a Hoggee on the Erie Canal, to help support his family. Teed’s parents

were of the Baptist faith, Cooling Tower for the Diesel Engine so do with his natural

oratorical ability; his

friends urged him to study

for the ministry. However, Cyrus decided to become

a physician and in 1859, commenced the study of

medicine with his uncle, Dr. Samuel F. Teed, in 9 Utica, N.Y. Samuel F. Teed was a 25-year-old 10 allopathic physician (MD). Surprisingly, most

9 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/blog/?p=1736#identifier_0_1736 10 https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=allopathic+physician 8

Doctors at that time learned their trade by working WAS CYRUS TEED MARRIED? as an apprentice with other physicians, or a Marriage and Family: In 1859 at age 20, Cyrus physician, without the benefit of medical school at married his second cousin, Fidelia (Delia) M. Rowe all.11 Cyrus was 20 years old, and Fidelia was about 16. She was married to Dr. Teed for 27 years and died at the age of 47 of tuberculosis.13

Medicine in the 1800s Pity the poor Victorian-era family whose bottle of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup ran dry. It was touted as an indispensable aid to quiet bawling babies DOUGLAS R. TEED and teething tots, and it packed a wallop of an Did Cyrus and Fidelia have any Children? ingredient: morphine.12 Yes - In 1860, Teed now 21 had a son Douglas. Then, two years later, in 1862, when Cyrus Teed was 23, he moved his small family to Brooklyn, New York. While in New York, he enrolled in Medical School but dropped out and joined the New York Infantry Volunteers at age 23.

When Douglas was nine (1869), his father left the family to develop a religious sect called 'Koreshanity' after experiencing what he claimed was a divine vision. His son, Douglas, painted his first painting at age 10. Recognized by a wealthy family as a promising artist, Douglas was sponsored by a wealthy woman who and went with him to Europe to study art. Douglas sold one of his paintings to King Humbert of Italy and sold a few in England and other European countries. His paintings Fidelia (Delia) M. Rowe are still very collectible. The Arnot Art Museum in New York did an exhibition of his paintings in 1982. They showed more than 80 of his paintings, including some that were borrowed from the Koreshan State Historic Site.14

13 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/gene/uged/html/fam079.html 12 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/look- 14 https://esterohistoricalsociety.com/brief-history-of- back-old-time-medicines#1 estero/koreshan-art-hall/ 9

FIDELIA AND DOUGLAS LEAVE of graduation would have been five years.16 Douglas and his mother never converted to Koreshanity and allegedly due to ill health, Fidelia He received an Honorable (Medical) Discharge and Douglas, her son, moved in with her sister in from the Army on October 16th, 1863. After his Binghamton, New York, even though her husband medical discharge from the service, he returned to Cyrus was a Medical Doctor. It appears that his New York City to complete his medical studies in focus was on other matters than his marriage. Eclectic Medicine, graduating from the Eclectic They remained there until Fidelia’s death of Medical College of the City of New York, in tuberculosis in 1885, Douglas her son now 25 and February 1868 at the age of 29. Cyrus now 46 or 47. Douglas passed at age 69. WHAT WAS THE TIME DR. CYRUS TEED’S BRIEF TOUR OF TEED STARTED HIS DUTY IN THE UNION ARMY RELIGIOUS FOLLOWING? Cyrus Teed joined the Union Army enlisting in the Illumination: In the autumn of 1869, at age 30, New York Infantry of the New York volunteers on Cyrus Teed had what he later referred to as August 9, 1862, at the age of twenty-two. On April his Illumination (Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 44:28). 12, 1863, his assignment was to Brigade Then, later that same evening, he had a vision in Headquarters.” Corporal Teed was a special aide to which he saw God (a spirit) in the form of a an acting General Woodford. It is not clear what his beautiful woman and learned the secrets of the duty assignment was, but some sources indicate that universe and his place in it. he worked as an assistant physician and surgeon while serving in the Union Army; this may have She wore gold and been an embellishment on the truth to make Cyrus purple robes and Teed look somewhat larger than life. carried the

Mercury’s However, while on the march near Warrenton Caduceus17. Bible Junction, Virginia, on August 1, 1863, he suffered reference Numbers sunstroke, which led to the paralysis of his left arm 21:4-9 In his vision, and leg. Army records indicate he became a patient the God-spirit in a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia, August 8th, explained to Dr. 1863, where he spent fifty-days until his release Teed that He, God, from the hospital. From the time of injury, August if we can use that 1st to time of discharge from the hospital on term, was both male September 30th would be about 61 days.15 and female. Dr.

Teed reportedly was told by God that women As a patient at the Army hospital, Corporal Cyrus were to be treated the same as men (Gender- Teed noticed that wounded soldier’s with a positive equality). Also, all men were to be treated outlook on life or having a strong religious faith equally (Human rights and racial equality). recovered faster. At the close of the war, he resumed his study of medicine. The length of time from his Dr. Teed’s purpose was to explain to the masses discharge from the Army and when he continued his the truths of the Bible. Much of which is not studies in medicine is also unclear. easy to understand. God, in Teed’s vision, goes However, from the time of Army discharge to date

16 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_Teed 17 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ACaduceus 15 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/gene/new/np128.htm 10

on to explain to him that the earth was hollow, Cosmology, which is the belief we live inside of the and we lived on the inside of it, more on that earth. More on that later. 20 later. (Later, Cyrus Teed took on the name “Koresh.” The Word Cyrus in ancient Hebrew is History of The Times: pronounced Koresh meaning Shepherd. The In order to better understand the thinking of the followers of Koresh were called Koreshans. times it is important to understand that these Their religion was a mixture of science and Utopian groups were springing up all over, but theology and was called Koreshanity. mainly in the New York area. New York’s Ellis Also, while in his Island was a port for many immigrants seeking laboratory, he religious and political freedom from the monarchies claimed to have and religious suppression of Europe – the very rich changed led to gold and the very poor. (alchemy). He called this knowledge the "Philosopher's Stone."18 Dr. Teed had been a student of alchemy for years. Alchemists strive to solve the mystery of immortality with the Philosopher's Stone, and the elixir of life. They believe through the application of alchemical processes, the physical body can be maintained through Infinity, not dying from any natural diseases, only finding an end through physical destruction of the body. Theoretically, if one could stay out of Harm's Way one could live Communist Party of Russia forever. The Communist Party of the Soviet See also: Elixir of life and Philosopher's stone Union (CPSU) In 1917 the Russian people, in an attempt to rid itself of the tyranny, of the monarchy, of Czar Nicolas II, overthrew him and formed a non- WHAT WAS DR. TEED’S religious Utopian Commune called the Communist RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND? Party. In theory, the Communist Party was a Unity, Teed was raised a Baptist. However, in 1878 at age a commune where all property was owned in 40, Dr. Teed was admitted to membership in the common by all members called the State. North Family of Shakers in Lebanon, New York. The Shakers, by doctrine, unlike the Baptist, are Pentecostal.19 The Shakers were a religious organization with many beliefs similar to that of Teed’s, including the concept of community living or a utopian community. A few years later, Teed invited them to become a part of the Koreshan Unity, but they declined to join. Perhaps, a schism in doctrine as well as the Shaker's leadership not being able to accept Teed’s unique theory of

18 19 http://www.bible.ca/cr-quakers.htm 20 https://www.floridamemory.com/exhibits/koreshan/ 11

a church, they used the Art Hall. The walls were covered with paintings hung on nails. The State, when it took over the settlement as a Park in 1961, took the wallboards off and turned them around, exposing the backside of the board to the public/guest that visited the park. Paintings are now hanging from wires attached to ceiling trim.

WHY DOES THE LECTURE DESK OR PULPIT, IN THE ART HALL, APPEAR TO HAVE THE KORESHAN FLAY IN THE ART HALL Please notice the Seal of Solomon in the upper THE STAR OF DAVID ON IT? left corner of the flag. In the Art Hall, please notice the star on the front of the pulpit resembling the Jewish Star of David. Although it is not clear where the lecture stand or pulpit came from, it appears to have the Star of David on it, but it does not. The symbol is that of The Seal of Solomon. In 1904 the Koreshans petitioned to have Estero become its own village and it was passed. The drawing of the town seal shows a six-pointed star, the Seal of Solomon. This Seal of Solomon was placed in the Estero Village Seal in the THE ART HALL upper left corner. 21 The Art Hall was one of the most important buildings of the Koreshan Unity Settlement. The Hall was used for entertainment, education, as well as the center of all religious activity. The Koreshans did not have a separate building used as 22 https://stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com/category/bible/

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THE SEAL OF SOLOMON (Magen ((SIC))24 David in Hebrew) on the right side is found upon the official national flag of Israel. It could be that the Koreshans “borrowed” the symbol, with its interwoven triangles as a AT BOTTOM LEFT: These two black hexagrams representation of the male-female aspects of God. Illustration 28 in an all-white background are In tradition, the overlapping triangles stood for male and female. The triangle with its point upward essential representations of a Star of David, seen on represented male and the triangle pointing the left side, and a Seal of Solomon, seen on the downward represented female. Later Koreshan right. prayers would be to the Mother-Father God. AT BOTTOM RIGHT: A six-pointed hexagram carved upon one of the walls of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the official capital of the Roman Catholic Church.25

THE SEAL OF SOLOMON vs. THE STAR OF DAVID A rather interesting take on the very real differences between the Star of David and the Seal of Solomon reads as follows: “The Seal of Solomon resembles the Jewish Star of David, but the Star of David does not have interlocking triangles.” It is unlikely the Pope would have on his Mitre (hat) the Jewish symbol of the Star of David. The Seal of Solomon is over 3000 years old. However, the Star of David use can be traced back to the 17th century. However, BACKGROUND ON THE SEAL: it was not widely used until the 19th century. During The Pope and the Seal of Solomon the 19th century (the 1800s), the figure (The Star of In the above photo, please notice the Popes Papal David) began to increase amongst Jewish hat that is known as a mitre.22 A close-up picture of communities of Eastern Europe, ultimately being Pope Benedict XVI’s (16th) Papal hat reveals a six- used amongst the Jewish communities in the Pale of pointed hexagram located in front of the headpiece Settlement. (A region of western Russia where Jews and appears to be a Seal of Solomon, rather than the were permitted to settle.) Star of David. A significant motivating factor was the desire to AT TOP RIGHT: The yellow Star of David on the imitate the influence of the Christian cross. left side has the German word Jude (Jew in English) In Medieval Jewish, Islamic, and Christian legends, written in the center. 23 The blue Star of David the Seal of Solomon was a magical signet ring said to have the symbol now called the Star of David

22The mitre (British English) (/ˈmaɪtər/; Greek: μίτρα, "headband" or "turban") or miter (American English; see 24 The notation's usual purpose is to inform the reader that spelling differences), is a type of headgear now known as the any errors or apparent errors in quoted material do not arise traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain from errors in the course of the transcription, but are abbots in traditional Christianity. intentionally reproduced, exactly as they appear in the 23 source text. https://stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/understa 25https://stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/underst nding-the-differences-between-the-star-of-david-and-the-seal- anding-the-differences-between-the-star-of-david-and-the-seal- of-solomon/ of-solomon/ 13

(hexagram), often within a circle, usually with the By Teed’s son, Douglas A. Teed. The Art was sold two triangles interlaced rather than intersecting. to Cyrus Teed (Koreshans) by his son Douglas in When one looks closely enough at the picture above, 1905. For a look at several of the paintings by the differences between the Star of David (on the Douglas Teed follow this link: Paintings by Douglas left) and the Seal of Solomon (on the Right) should A. Teed become readily apparent. By tradition, the Star of David, has only 2-Dimensional overlapping or intersecting triangles, while the Seal of Solomon always has 3-Dimensional interwoven or interlaced triangles. 26

Because of this, the Seal of Solomon may also sometimes be confused with the Star of David, although this remains technically incorrect, as 27 confirmed by a Jewish Rabbi visiting the park. The Steinway Piano The Seal of Solomon represents the Divine Union When the Koreshin’s moved from Chicago to the being composed of a female, triangle, and a male, Estero area in the mid-1890s, they brought with triangle. Also, traditional elemental triangles of the them 15 boxcars of goods and personal property, earth; air; water, and fire are derived from the seal as including this Steinway Piano. The piano donated by well. an E. Bonnell, a teacher from Morristown, NJ, when

they joined the Unity. It has only 85 keys rather than This same seal also appears on the Koreshan flag the standard 88 keys. Eighty-eight keys became displayed on the right side of the stage as well as on standard in 1890. Before that time, there was no the painting by Moses Weaver, which is also standard number of keys for pianos. The number of displayed in the Art Hall. And of course, on the keys would vary from somewhere in the 60s to pulpit stand on the stage of the Art Hall. somewhere in the 80s. The piano you see here was made in 1885 and is 135 years old (in 2020). It was not until 1857 that a piano was created with lavishly carved case and legs, like the one here at the Park. Steinway & Sons were founded on March 5, 1853, by German immigrant Henry E. Steinway in a Manhattan loft on Varick Street.

WHERE DID THE PAINTINGS COME FROM IN THE ART HALL? The Art Hall housed and displayed several paintings

26 alog/icon/star-of-david Henry E. Steinway 27 (1797–1871- age 74 at death) https://stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/understa Up until this time, the Steinway was an upright nding-the-differences-between-the-star-of-david-and-the-seal- model. A piano, with legs - Serial #1225, is believed of-solomon/ 14

to be the first-ever Steinway Art Case piano (1857). Dr. Teed’s vision of the world Koreshanity is a set (1797–1871). Monday, March 5, 2020, marks the of 166th anniversary of Steinway & Sons.28

Henry was a master cabinet maker who built his first piano, an upright, in 1836 at the age of 39 in the kitchen of his German home. 29

DID THE KORESHANS HAVE ACCESS TO ANY EDUCATIONAL FACILITY?

Yes - The Pioneer University of Koreshan Universology and the College of Life. religious/scientific beliefs put forth by Cyrus Teed The Koreshans established a University in 1904 30 (Teed then age 65). The University, at that time, (also known as Koresh). seemed to emphasize the trades rather than the arts, although the arts, music, painting, and the like, were Some Definitions taught. The trades would have made the University Cosmology is the study of the universe at its largest more akin to a Trade School than a Liberal Arts scale, including theories of its origins, its dynamics, College of modern times. Included in its curriculum and evolution, and it's future. For more information was what was considered to be Useful Trades such on the definition of Cosmology go to the following as Construction, pattern making; Electrical; link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmology Mechanical; Stone construction, as well as Music and Art. Cosmogony is the (scientific) study of the origin of the cosmos (or of reality itself).31

Cellular Cosmogony, which is Teed’s unique view of a Hollow Earth Theory, which casts forward the idea that the world and the universe are held inside a hollow sphere or “Cell.” In this theory: The earth’s shell is one hundred miles thick and has seventeen layers. The outer seven layers are metallic with a gold “rain” on the outermost WHO BUILT THE UNIVERSITY? layer; the middle five are mineral, and the five It was the Professors and students that built the inward are geologic strata. Inside the shell, there is University. life outside a void." 32

Why did Dr. Teed believe that the Earth was Credit – Dr. Teed’s book Cellular Cosmogony: hollow, and we lived inside it? "The sun is an invisible electromagnetic battery revolving in the universe's center on a 24-year THE KORESHAN WORLD: cycle. Our visible sun is only a reflection, as is the

30 https://www.floridamemory.com/exhibits/koreshan/origins/ 31 28 The 85th anniversary would have been in 1921 from the date https://stjudasmaccabaeus.wordpress.com/category/bible/ of the first piano and in 1938 from the date of incorporation. 29 http://myperfectpiano.com/louis-corner/ 32 kipedia.org/wiki/Koreshanity 15

moon, with the stars reflecting off seven mercurial BACKGROUND ON THE HOLLOW EARTH discs that float in the sphere's center. In the earth, THEORY THE SURVEY there are three separate atmospheres: the first Taking into consideration all of the beliefs of the composed of oxygen and nitrogen and closest to Koreshans, perhaps the most outlandish, is the belief the earth; the second, a hydrogen atmosphere that we live inside a hollow sphere. above it; the third, was “ boron.33”(sic) A Geodetic Survey was authored by Doctors Cyrus Perspective on Teed’s theory of a Hollow Teed and a Ulysses Grant Morrow. Teed could not Earth: Using a device called a Rectilineator. believe that God would create a universe that could Beliefs, about the nature of God and the nature of not be understood by man. So on Teed’s authority, a the Universe, were very important to the Koreshans survey was undertaken using a surveying tool called in later years.34 See also: Concave Earth the Rectilinear. This survey was taken on Naples Theory.35 Beach, the only place they could see the horizon.

Much of what Teed believed regarding the Hollow WAS THE NAPLES SURVEY FLAWED? Earth Theory, Teed said, was given to him in his I believe that there are at least four reasons why the Illumination in 1869. survey may have been flawed. A land survey was authored by Dr. Ulysses Grant Morrow and Dr. Teed to confirm this theory, but 1. The Equipment Used later editions of the book Cellular Cosmogony They were trying to construct a rigid straight line for dropped Morrow's name. Also, Teed was not alone miles using a device made of wood, and wood is in his opinion notable scientist of the day also flexible. Also, because each section of the believed in the Hollow Earth Theory: Rectilineator was only 12 ft long, it meant over 1000 "leapfrog" actions, moving the twelve-foot rear section to the front so as to extend the line.

33 Every movement of the rear section to the front Perhaps a made up word, introduced another opportunity for a slight error, so slight they couldn't see it. Add to this, that in Florida in March and April we get rain. Even if the surveying crew were able to keep the device dry, and that is doubtful, by covering it with canvas tarps, the humidity alone would have had a negative effect on the wooden construction of the

Recteilineator.

Also, they did not take into consideration the fact that a wooden device 48 feet in length, such as the Rectilinear, will warp under its own weight and thus 36 would have skewed the result. Even if the device had been constructed of stainless steel, it would have still warped under its own weight. Every movement of the rear section to the front introduced

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another opportunity for a slight error, so small they in the possibility of the earth being hollow, as well. couldn't see it. The following is a list of other, well-known scientists, physicists, mathematicians, and 2. The Bias factor. That is, when a person starts out astronomers as well as other professionals, to prove a particular theory, there would be the that ascribed to the hollow earth theory. tendency to dismiss any facts that tend to disprove the theory, no matter how sound, and to allow any Several twentieth-century German writers, including fact that supports the theory, no matter how weak, to Peter Bender; Johannes Lang; Karl Neupert; and prove their point. Fritz Braun, published works advocating the Hollow Earth hypothesis. For the thinking of the day Dr. 3. Next, the technical competence of the surveyor. Teed was in pretty good company. Dr. Morrow, though no doubt a brilliant man, taught shorthand and business in college, not surveying or There were other very credible Scientists who even math. ascribed to the hollow earth beach from March through April 1897 and was Teed’s attempt to prove 4. Although, it appears that every effort was taken to the Cellular Cosmogony, which he believed was ensure the accuracy of their calculations, the given to him by God in a vision was true. primitive surveying tools used along with the possibility of mistakes in their calculations would Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) mathematician, have contributed to giving a false conclusion. All physicist, astronomer, logician, and engineer. math was derived, without the aid of a calculator. The numbers would have been extremely small even Sir Edmund Halley (1656-1742) of Halley’s Comet to the third decimal point (0.00168675), the ratio of fame. the earth 24901 miles to the 4.2 miles surveyed of Naples Beach. Sir John Leslie (1766-1832) mathematician and physicist. From what I have read, the Geodetic Survey team was very diligent with their calculations, having John Cleves Symmes Jr. (1780-1829) was an multiple people recheck and verify everything. They American Army officer, trader, and lecturer. also duplicated their results in reverse, going Symmes is best known for his 1818 variant of the backward after a point, to validate their findings. I Hollow Earth Theory, which introduced the concept have to believe they were diligent in the process so of openings to the inner world at the poles.38 as to minimize any possibility of "fudging the data," but it was the process itself that was flawed. Jules Vern (1828 - 1905) authored the book “Jurney to the Center of the Earth in 1864. Vern was a The survey indicated that the horizon on either end contemporary of Cyrus Teed (1839 - 1908) all were of the 4.2 miles of Naples beach rose around 36 proponents of the Hollow Earth Theory. inches or 8 inches per mile, and thus, we live in a concave world. 37 And this satisfied Teed belief that Richard E. Byrd (1888 – 1957) Was a decorated we live in a hollow sphere. Admiral in the U.S. Navy, that received the Congressional Medal of Honor, believed in the However, after saying all that, it appears that Dr. Hollow Earth theory and that some alien life forms Teed was not alone in his beliefs that we lived inside inhabiting it. Please read the following of several of a hollow sphere. There were more than a handful articles on Adm. Byrd: The Strange “Hollow Earth” of well-versed men that believed, much as Teed did, 38 http://www.secretsofthefed.com/is-there-another-advanced- 37 https://www.floridamemory.com/exhibits/koreshan/origins/ civilization-living-beneath-our-feet/ 17

Case of Admiral Richard Byrd believed the world was flat, and the sun revolved around it. However, one can see from the biblical In all fairness to the list of names above, I think it's reference in Revelation 7:1 that refers to four angels important to emphasize that Teed's vision, or belief, standing on the four corners of the earth, and was that there was nothing on the outer surface of perhaps, how this could be interpreted as the earth as the earth and everything beyond the surface was a being flat like a table having four corners. void. In this way, Teed differed from all the rest of those who believed that humans could live inside the Of course, I am not saying we should see it this way earth. In Teed’s thinking, the entire universe existed now, but can you understand how the people, within the hollow sphere. This made his theory, that including the church of 500 or 1500 years ago nothing existed outside of the earth, very different taking biblical scripture literally with no empirical from any other belief of a civilization living inside evidence may have been drawn to this conclusion. the earth.

Keep in mind that several hundred years before the Koreshans, Teed and a hollow earth, there were many theories on the origins and the nature of thearth. Hollow Earth is just on theory in a list otheoriesry regarding the nature of creation.

CREATIONISTS vs THE BIG BANG Also, even today there are those that believe that the earth was created in 6 days about 10,000 years ago, while others believe it was created by the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

THE FLAT EARTH This Cell Theory may seem to some, including this author, to be a little left of center. However, keep in

ATLAS mind that several hundred years before this time Atlas was a legendary Titan. He was in a lot of most everyone, including the church, (500-1500 BC) stories, starting with a story, including a hero named Hercules. Atlas led a battle of the Titans against

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Zeus, which lasted for ten years. Eventually, Atlas burning overnight that caused the fire. 41 was singled out by Zeus and forced to hold up the heavens as a special punishment.39 WHY DID THE KORESHANS BELIEVE TEEDS’ TEACHINGS? Who is right is not the point here, but the fact that Disclaimer 2: The biblical references referred to there are many opinions on such matters. herein the following lists of Koreshan beliefs are not It was not until 1492 when Columbus sailed from intended by me to change your mind about your Europe to the Americas that the church was forced belief system, but only used to show how the to consider that the world may not be flat. Can you Koreshans may have come to their conclusions. imagine how brave the sailors must have been? That is, like most religions, taking scripture literally Thinking, at any moment, they may sail off the edge or figuratively or metaphorically, accepting some of the world. biblical directives as relative and dismissing others as for that time only, when it suited their beliefs. Did the Koreshans have any Sifting through the Bible became the holy task of businesses here in Estero? Prophet Cyrus (Koresh) Teed. While Fort Myers was little more than a cattle town THEIR BELIEFS: (Most of which have their basis the Koreshans businesses at Estero included: A saw in the Bible.) Mill, Electrical Works, Tin Works, Mattress Making Shop, Hat and Basket Weaving Shop, Reincarnation, the belief that the soul, upon the death Shoe Shop, Blacksmith Shop, Print Shop, of the body, comes back to earth in another body or form. Publishing House, Bakery, Fishing, Boat Works, John 3:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 You Ice-factory, Honey farm, Citrus farm, Dressmaking, should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You [a] must General Store, Post Office, Western Union Office, be born again. Restaurant, Hotel, Gas station, Watch Repair, Grade & High school, a University and Trade School, Eternal Life, the ability to live forever; eternal life. Concrete Works, Plant Nursery. 1 John 2:25 New King James Version (NKJV) 25 And this is the promise that He has promised The Koreshans bought a furniture plant in Bristol, us—eternal life. Tennessee, in 1906 for $75,000. However, the factory went broke, and Teed was left owing the Collectivism, the community lived communally, balance of the mortgage. They, the Koreshans, were with everyone sharing in the work without being also negotiating with the government of Honduras paid money. Collectivism began with the first for a grant of 200,000 acres of land for colonization. commune in Chicago, then led to them moving to They bought the San Carlos Hotel in St. James City 40 Estero and to build their "New Jerusalem” Acts as a possible site for the World College of Life. 2:44-45. New King James Version (NKJV) 44 Now The same site that Dr. Teed look at back in 1894 all who believed were together, and had all things in before purchasing the 320 acres from Damkohler. common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, However, sadly, while it was in the process of and divided them among all, as anyone had a need. remodeling, on July 26, 1905, it burned down. Allegedly, one of the workers left a smudge-pot, Alchemy, (science not religion) which was an area used to protect the workers from mosquitoes, that Teed had experimented in for years. Alchemy was a respected science of that day, but the Bible does not mention the word alchemy.

39 https://quizlet.com/157240489/mythology-test-1-flash-cards/ 40 http://pineisland.info/looking-for/ 41 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/gene/new/np128.htm 19

What is Alchemy? God) and an extensive list of others that were anointed for some particular purpose. For more on Celibacy, the belief of abstaining from any sexual the topic of Messiah please Google - Messiah Also- conduct, which they felt was a scientific method to Wikipedia free dictionary. obtain immortality. (More on celibacy later) Author’s Note2: the established Church of Cyrus (Koresh) Teed’s time did not believe that he was a Messiah. However, the established church of Jesus' time did not believe that He was a Messiah either. After the death of Cyrus Teed, his followers gathered awaiting his return where he would take them with him to heaven, which did not occur. After the death of Jesus, his followers gathered awaiting His return where He would take them with DID THE KORESHANS BELIEVE Him to heaven, which has, to date, not occurred, either. IN HEAVEN AND HELL? Some may feel the Koreshans were utterly wrong in The Koreshans believed that Heaven and Hell their understanding of the Bible’s scriptures, but were conditions of the mind rather than a natural or please be aware that there are over 33,000 Protestant spiritual world. They believed that the Bible was denominations worldwide,45 each believing, to some an excellent expression of the Divine Creator, but degree or another, they are right. The variance in needed the intervention of prophets to make it believe’s run from slight to severe. (This does not understandable to the believers throughout the ages. include the 35,000 independent churches that have This task would have fallen to Dr. Cyrus (Koresh) no affiliation with the other 33,000 denominations.) 42 Teed, as a self-proclaimed prophet. Heaven and The point is not who is right or wrong, but that there Hell were not actual places, but the conditions of the are a vast variety of opinions on the topic of mind. (Pope John Paul II, also said this, as well as religion. Billy Graham)43 Pope John Paul II and Billy Graham Rejects the Reality of a Literal Hell. However, since the RCMS 2010 study, we now know that the grouping of nondenominational Last Teed's inspired leadership. churches, if taken together, would be the second- Teed claimed to be the 'seventh' Messianic Leader largest Protestant group in the country with over 44 (Jesus is the sixth). 35,000 independent or nondenominational churches representing more than 12,200,000 adherents. Author's Note 1: There have been many so-called, These non-denominational religions are present in Messiahs throughout history. Messiah was/is a term every state and in 2,663 out of the total of 3,033 meaning an “anointed one “and was someone with counties in the country, or 88% of the population.46 a special, God-ordained purpose. There is no necessary connection between Jesus (The Son of Want to know more? Check out the 2012 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches.

45 The 2001 edition, successor to his 1982 first edition, which 43 http://thesouthernblog.com/2010/08/koreshan-living-inside- took a decade to compile, identifies 10,000 distinct religions; the-world-in-south-florida/ of which 150 have 1 million or more followers. Within 44 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshanity Christianity, he counts 33,820 denominations. 46 http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html 20

The Yearbook costs $50 and may be ordered at Soviet Union of Russia, as well as the Peoples http://www.yearbookofchurches.org. Republic of China, would qualify as a non-religious cult. However, unlike a cult and some other such Utopian communities that were not closed to outsiders.50 You can also find a listing of denominations SECT: On the other hand, the word sect comes and their websites at: from the Latin word secta, which means “school of http://hirr.hartsem.edu/denom/homepages.html thought.” It is a subjective term that may apply to a religious faith or denomination. Keep in mind that WAS THE UNITY A in the late 1800s and early 1900’s anything that was not Catholic, Presbyterian or Lutheran were SECT OR A CULT? regarded, for the most part, by them as a cult or Question: "What is the sect. That is a nontraditional religious belief difference between a sect system. The Koreshans did believe in Christ as and a cult?"47 being The Son of God and the Bible, but had The term Cult or Sect has been beliefs that were non-traditional or different. So in used loosely and that regard, they would fit the definition of a Sect. interchangeably with the word sect by contemporary religions of that day as well as in modern times as meaning something wrong or evil or at the best different.48 So, in the sense of different, then yes, the Koreshans could be described as a sect. 49 Even though the Koreshans referred to themselves as a cult they would not fit the modern definition of cult today.

CULT: The word cult, always carries a negative connotation. There are specific criteria used to identify a cult. In Combating Cult Mind Control, HUMAN RIGHTS th, th Deprogrammer Steven Hassan singles out what he Note: On December 6 1865 the 13 amendment refers to as “destructive cults,” which he defines as: abolished slavery. Passed by Congress, and ratified th February 3, 1870, the 15 amendment granted “A pyramid-shaped authoritarian regime with a African American men the right to vote. Women person or a group of people that have dictatorial of any color were not allowed to vote until 1920 by th control.” the 19 amendment. Some men and women, were 51 regarded as property with no rights at all? A couple of examples of closed societies or cult would be Jim Jones (of the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, and David Koresh of the Branch Davidian Church in Waco, TX (no connection to the Koreshans here). In more contemporary terms the

50 47 http://www.gotquestions.org/sect-cult.html https://www.gotquestions.org/sect-cult.html 48 Credit: http://www.gotquestions.org/sect-cult.html

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marriage or a “divorce” as a divorce. However, more than half of marriages fail.

Divorce was frowned upon in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and many women lived in quiet desperation. Also, many women were unskilled or uneducated and had large families and could not afford to leave their husbands. Some of these women would just pack up and leave their husbands and come to the Koreshan Unity. Some would bring their children others did not. Why were so many of Teed’s follower's Reason 2: Many Women Widowed: More background on why women may have come women? Around 80%! to the Unity: The Civil War. Many women were left widowed by the Civil War that took the lives of A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TIMES. 620,000 with some estimates as high as 750,000 Women were regarded, as little more than the men! 51,000 Americans were either killed or property of their husbands at that time. A married wounded at Gettysburg alone. woman could not own property, nor vote. Any money or property belonged to the husband. Even The total deaths that occurred in the American the marriage vows themselves demanded of the Civil War were more Americans than died in The wife to “love, honor and OBEY their husband. 52 War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War of Please see 1 Peter 3. For the most part, a biblical 1846 WWI, WWII, War, Korean War, Vietnam directive set aside. Where did the concept of wives combined! obedience to their husbands come from the Church or the Bible? Well, both - please see Eph. 5:22. As The widows, left by the war were often, with large well as Titus 2:4-5 Even in the early church families and with no work skills, education or women were not allowed to speak but must remain resources, they were impoverished. The only jobs silent (I Cor. 14:34). Even children are admonished available, for most, were shopkeepers (if you could by the Bible to obey their parents in everything, read and had some math skills), domestic servants and prostitutes and of course the widow may Divorce in the 19th Century remarry. Keep in mind that there was a shortage of The divorce rate in 1900 was less than 10% men due to the war, and many women were forced divorce rate today is well over 50%. Also, please to marry men much younger or much older than keep in mind many couples today live in they were, as in the case of Damkohler. The nontraditional marriages where government Koreshan Unity appeared to be a good alternative. records would not show the “marriage” as a

49 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

50 Exodus 21:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

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in time. So if one has to define Victorian morality, it is based upon a group of principles or standards of moral conduct, including practicing sexual restraint, and a stern demeanor. It mainly refers to the moral climate in general in Great Britain during the 19th century. Due to the enormous impact and importance of the British Empire, many of these values were spread across the world.54

WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN THE VICTORIAN AGE More background: During this time in history after a woman married, her rights, her property, and even CAPITALISM is an economic and political her identity (taking on her husbands’ last name) system in which a country's trade and industry are almost caused her to cease to exist. By law, she was controlled by private owners for profit, rather than under the complete and total supervision of her by the state. However, at the turn of the century, husband: thus through marriage, husband and wife there were no unions, and most capitalists were became one person; whatever view he presented was keeping the lion's share of the profits. Workers the unquestionable truth.55 would show up at the door of the factory or business hoping to be picked to work that day. Not only did the husband have almost complete Many were not. The Koreshan Unity offered a way control over his wife’s body, since beatings and around what Teed deemed a type of capitalist marital rape were not illegal, their children also slavery. The Koreshan Unity provided an belonged to him, as did any property and money opportunity to have food, clothing, and shelter for that the wife brought into the house. Indeed, it is life. understandable to see why many women saw marriage as falling a little short of slavery.

Dr. (Koresh) Teed even referred to this condition as the “Slavery of marriage.” However, Victorian society viewed marriage as women’s natural and best position in life, and men agreed, seeing 56 marriage as an expected duty of women. One contemporary Victorian male, writing in a letter to a friend described the perfect wife as nothing more than an extension of his household surroundings: VICTORIAN AGE (1837 to 1901) More background regarding celibacy “Of course at a certain age, he goes on to say, when 53 you have a house, and so on, you get a wife as part Victorian Morality : The term represents the 57 58 moral of the people living in Victorian times. of its furniture.” Ref: (Kent 91). (sic) The Victorian era is often thought of as a time when society and its rules were rigid and strict. The term 54 https://www.bartleby.com/essay/A-Room-With-A-View-By- prudish is used quite often in reference to this point Edward-PKT4QNX 55 https://rachlouisepea.wordpress.com/page/5/ 56 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Victorian_era 53https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Victorian_er 57https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Victorian_era# a Victorian_morality_and_sexuality 23

In reality, women held a significant position as wives since they took care of the household, any servants, and helped with their husband’s work. Also, they managed the finances; however, from the male’s point of view, women were nothing more than overly emotional and mindless creatures ruled by their sexuality, or just only “the Sex.” 59

When and where did women WERE KORESHAN WOMEN earn the right to vote? GIVEN EQUAL RIGHTS TO Learn the year in which women's suffrage was MEN? granted, organized by year. New Zealand was the Equal rights, as stated here, had to do more with job first country to allow women to vote (in 1893), opportunities, education, and equal pay; (using the while King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia gave women credit system*). Matters of political or religious the right to vote in 2011. importance, as well as the governing of the Unity, were left in the hands of Emperor Cyrus (Koresh) The United States finally began allowing women to Teed. Having a say in matters of the Unity did not vote in 1920, after the ratification of the 19th 60 mean that what they had to say would be accepted. Amendment to the constitution. Remember, we still have Dr. Teed, which was a self-proclaimed prophet, Messiah, and Emperor. DR. TEED OFFERED WOMEN A WAY OUT. THE CREDIT SYSTEM Members could join the Unity as a family At this time in history, a woman was paid 2/3 of a or as individuals. The woman could join the Unity, man’s wage. However, here at the Koreshan Unity, or if married, they could come as a family. If the women could take almost any job offered in the husband decided not to come, she could join the Unity. The women members receive the same pay as group and bring her children if she wanted to, and men using; something called the her husband would permit. “Credit System.” That is one credit for one hour's work, which could be used as money and traded for goods at the Unity store. Men could use the credits to have a cabin built for them at the Unity, and from all reliable reports, women were treated with kindness and respect.

DID THE KORESHANS FOLLOW ALL OF TEEDS RULES? I can not say that there were no problems or disagreements among the members. Simple logic

58 https://rachlouisepea.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/victorian- would dictate that when you get any number of views-on-women-and-marriage/ people together, 2 or 2000 you are bound to have 59http://webpage.pace.edu/nreagin/tempmotherhood/fall2003/3/ differing opinions and disagreements and rule- HisPage.html breaking. However, there is almost no written record 60 https://www.infoplease.com/us/gender-sexuality/womens- suffrage 24

of unrest or rule-breaking among the members; that adult education was a revolutionary concept right up is if problems arose, they dealt with them. there with women's rights.

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR THE THE FOLLOWING IS A QUICK LOOK MEMBERS OF THE UNITY AND AT THE KORESHAN’S BELIEFS IN ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN? CELIBACY, ETERNAL LIFE, BIOLOGICAL IMMORTALITY, AND SPRITUAL IMMORTALITY. NO HOUSEWORK Unless the member’s job was housework. They did not have to do housework because the Unity had a Dr. Teed believed that celibacy was the maid service made up of some of the members. scientific way to become immortal. That statement begs two questions, first NO CHILDCARE why was being a celibate thought to be the They did not need to care for their children because the Unity had a dorm and a school way to immortality, and second, what did composed of Unity members. Although the parent Teed mean by immortality? could interact with their children or child, Dr. Teed felt that all members of the Unity should love all children CELIBACY AND HOW IT AFFECTED equally. Just as God loves all of us equally and THE KORESHAN UNITY. discouraged members from showing favoritism to their own offspring(s) such as the exchange of gifts at Christmas. It is not clear why Dr. Teed believed the celibacy was the path to becoming an Immortal. However, NO COOKING OR DISHWASHING throughout history, it has been widely believed that Meals were prepared and served in the Koreshan celibacy would give one merit in the sight of God. dining hall by some of the Unity members whose job was cooking. They could return to his or her living Considering Teeds less than ideal marriage, celibacy quarters and relaxed or studied the arts, music or any was most likely a direct result and a remnant of the other endeavor of his or her choice. Victorian age (1837 to 1901) almost the exact dates of Dr. Teed’s life (1839 to 1908). As well as the I do not want to imply that life was easy for the tremendous influence of the Catholic Church, Koreshans, by modern-day standards it was not. especially among the leaders and their views on They worked hard to build the Unity, a home, out marriage and sex, in that climate, anything having of the Florida swamp! However, they were making to do with procreation (or sex) was thought of as lives and homes for themselves rather than for a improper and was not to be spoken of. European King or some other despot.

Men or women could enroll in the Koreshan Pioneer Alleged positive effects University and learn useful skills. Especially for of celibacy. women, blacks, Asians, and Native Americans, who In defense of the merit were the object of discrimination; for them, it was a argument, Please keep great opportunity. in mind that a

significant and well ADULT EDUCATION A critical point is that the Koreshan School allowed respected modern-day adults to attend. Adult education was unheard of back religion still has its inner then; thinking only children could go to school. Thus, circle of leadership as celibates. Feeling that one

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could better serve God, if they were not entangled leaving, she married the Unity Dentist Dr. Addison with marriage and family concerns. Graves.

WERE ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE Now, no longer a member of the Pre-Eminent Unity UNITY CELIBATE? Perhaps she felt it to be permissible to marry after she had been removed from power in any leadership No, there was a tri-level system of membership. position. For other than the leadership, it appears it was not required. Then some years later, she wrote a letter to the Koreshan Unity and offered her service as their The Pre-Eminent Unity The inner, core, group was leader, with little or no apparent embarrassment. the Celibate and Communal group, which did not One would think that the Koreshan Empress would allow marriage and practiced celibacy. According to have a good understanding of the doctrine and rules some sources, the majority of the members that were of the Unity and would have followed them. Also, I celibate were those in positions of authority. may add that several other members left the Unity Although, any member could elect to become and were married as well. Remember, in the belief celibate. system of Koresh, being a celibate was the scientific way to gain, immortality. CELIBACY It was, in the mind of Teed a scientific method for Patrons of Equation The outer level was made up gaining, what he called “immortality,” and it appears of non-believers who were willing to work for the to me that it was less a doctrinal directive and more Unity. This group allowed for marriage and a scientific one. Simple logic would dictate that if participation in the secular aspects of the Koreshan everyone were celibate, the human race would Unity. No requirements were made of them other disappear in a generation. Thus, adding credence to than, no drinking, no use of tobacco products, no the leadership only theory. opiates products, and no profanity. 61

Although a very strong suggestion, it appears that it DID THE KORESHINS FEEL THAT was not a requirement for membership. SEX WAS IMMORAL?

I could find no indication that Dr. Teed or the Department of Equitable Administration: Koreshins considered sex among married couples The middle group allowed for marriage, but sexual for procreation to be immoral. The Koreshins relationships were only to be for reproduction and believed in the bible and followed, to the best of for no other reason at any other time. their understanding, its teachings. Moreover, the Bible is full of scriptures regarding Moreover, if the Koreshan member chose not to be the marital relationship. In Genesis 1:28, God celibate, they could leave the celibate group and join commanded that Adam and Eve to “Be fruitful, and a membership level that allowed for marriage. Teed multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” himself, was presumed to be celibate, yet never However, sex, to the Koreshins, for any other divorced his wife. purpose, was seen as unnecessary use of the sexual

creative energy and did tend to draw people away Empress Victoria Gratia left the Unity after being from God’s purpose in their lives. rejected as the new leader of the Koreshan Unity after Teeds passing. She attempted to form her own Commune in Fort Myers; however, she was unsuccessful in doing so; then, two years after 61 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity

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Dr. Teed believed that the way to gain immortality the Catholic Church; that celibacy would give one (to become an Immortal) was to use this sexual merit in the sight of God. energy to birth, spiritual life rather than only physical life or mere physical pleasure. More on this later.

WHAT ABOUT IMMORTALITY OF THE SPIRIT OR SOUL? Conscious existence in spirit form, is not "immortality," because Christian, as well as a Jewish doctrine, teaches that they exist outside their dead bodies. In the Old Testament, the prophets considered them "raphaim - the spirits of the dead ones," and "chalah - meaning both weak, grieving IS THERE ANY RELATIONSHIP and sorry." BETWEEN THE KORESHANS HERE IN ESTERO AND DAVID KORESH OF Remember, according to Christian doctrine, only at THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN CHURCH IN the resurrection are our bodies given "immortality." WACO, TEXAS?

Visitors to the park frequently ask if the Koreshans Dr. Teed and Fidelia, his wife of 27 years, never of Estero had any relationship with David Koresh, divorced. Thus, it could be argued that Dr. Teed did the leader of the Branch Davidian Church in Waco, believe in the institution of marriage. Or at least, did Texas. It is ironic that both groups had several not find it a hindrance to his goal of becoming an things in common but had no affiliation with each Immortal. other.

Perhaps it also could be argued, from the Koreshan  Both practiced communal living with point of view, that even though sex is the way religion as a base. physical life is brought into existence, this same sexual energy could or even should be used to bring  Both groups had a leader who was a self- spiritual life into existence and thus, become the proclaimed “Messiah,” road to immortality. Both groups were scrutinized by government  agencies, and The sexual energy is creative energy at work. In many contemporary Christian religions, the process  Both men changed their names to Koresh. of gaining eternal life is called the “New Birth.” However, physical intercourse was regarded as little more than a necessary evil, and its practice should be limited to raising a family and not for any other purpose, and the primary objective of this sexual energy was for birthing what Dr. Teed referred to as immortality, not eternal life, as one may suppose.

To prepare one's soul for immortality, they would have to refrain from the practice of sexual intercourse. This attitude was encouraged by the contemporary churches of the time, and especially

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MOSES WEAVER THE painting was completed or when it was given to PAINTING AND THE the Koreshans. However, one source indicates a PAINTER date of 1925. Dr. Teed (Koresh) had envisioned that the small THE PAINTER village of Estero would Moses Weaver donated the painting to the Koreshan someday have a Koreshan Unity, which now hangs in the Koreshan Art Hall, membership of 10,000,000 then later left the Koreshan Unity and move to Utah members and Estero would to join the Mormon Church. Moses was born in become the capital of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania in November of 1862 and world. In his leisure time, died in Utah in December of 1965. He was a pioneer Moses Weaver did this and was an artist and sculptor for the Koreshans. He painting of the New Jerusalem for the Unity at was elected as a council member for the Koreshans Estero, FL. in September of 1904.

The following is part of a paper authored by Steven Richardson, The Hollow World by Cyrus Teed in a Sunstone Symposium, on August 4, 2011, at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, regarding the life and times of Moses Weaver and the Koreshans.

“At about 7 am on the 28th of June, 1951 when the bus arrived from Denver, a man named Moses Weaver stepped off and onto the streets of Ogden, THE PAINTING Utah. He had no luggage, three dollars in his In the above painting, please notice the four sets of pocket, and he knew no one. By mistake, he three roads crisscrossing the Korishan settlement. thought he had arrived in Salt Lake City, where he Each set had three roads, one for foot traffic, one for also knew no one. He was nearing the end of a very horse and buggy and one for commercial traffic. long spiritual journey. And now here he was in They had even planned for an underground disposal Ogden. His three dollars wouldn’t last long. system called an “Earth Closet” to take sewage out He arranged for a room at the Salvation Army and of the City to, what we may call, a sewage treatment they also paid for his dinner at a local plant, to be used as fertilizer for their agricultural restaurant. The following Monday he applied for a projects. No sewage was to be dumped into the job, but was refused work because of his age; he rivers, bays or the gulf. was 87 years old. By trade, Moses was a sign painter, artist, and poet. He spent the $3 on sign Koresh (Cyrus Teed) had made plans to reroute the painting materials. He painted a sign in the window Estero River around the settlement to build a moat of the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses for with a drawbridge as well. This would give the free and after having done that he had no shortage of settlement a castle-like appearance for his New friends among the Witnesses of Ogden. For the next Jerusalem. His Settlement home was to have a 7 months, he lived in a hotel, earning a good turret similar to those found on the corners of reputation for the artistry he put into his work. castles, again, to give to guest a feeling that this He became aware that Ogden was a religious city, was like Eden or Heaven. It is not clear when the with over 60% of its inhabitants being members of

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the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He 1908 and their Historical Significance Structure also learned that they had 31 wards led by an Date Constructed Historical Significance Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood, which he (Member(s), Function) of the above credits. Table interpreted as professional clergy. But he had no 3.1.) (Click on the link to view photos) interest in priest-craft. 1882 Damkohler House (not built by the Koreshans) A special thanks to Steve Richardson for allowing 1894 Member, Function Bamboo Landing - Image 2 me to use his paper in our Newsletter. 1896 Function Founder’s House Please follow this link to continue reading Steven 1896 Member, Function Dinner Bell Richardson paper “The Hollow World of Cyrus 1896 Dining Hall (No longer here) Built-in 1896, it Teed” READ MORE was later torn down in 1949. 1902 The Old Store (No longer here) 1903 Function Bakery 1903 The Publishing House (No longer here) 1903 Function Conrad Schlender Cottage / Membership Cottage 1904 Member, Function Planetary Court 1904 Members Large Machine Shop 1904 Laundry Hour (No longer here) 1905 Function Art Hall 1905 Function Small Machine Shop 1906 The Founders Home 1908 Teed’s Beach House (No longer here) 1908 Teed’s Mausoleum (No longer here) 1920 The New Store 1926 Gas Station (No longer here) 1940/41 The Koreshan Unity Trailer Park (Just VIDEO OF KORESHAN STATE PARK north of the Estero River on US-41)

There were apparently more believers around the HOW MANY BUILDINGS ARE IN country. Source Wikipedia: Eventually, Teed took THE PARK? his followers to Estero, Florida, to form his "New Jerusalem" in 1894. The community was at its peak THE BUILDINGS: from 1903-1908 when it had over 250 residents, some report as many as 300 members. There were Originally the Koreshans had over sixty buildings 62 here on the grounds. As membership declined after another 4,000 believers around the country. The Teed’s death in 1908 many of the buildings were no KSP contains a collection of original buildings and longer needed and were destroyed so they would not structures, eleven of which were constructed by have to pay taxes on them. Today there are eleven 1905. Also, there are some flowers and fauna that beautifully maintained historic structures that date were planted by the Koreshans. from 1882 to 1940. The Koreshans along with Dr. Teed acquired over Google - Koreshan State Historic Site (Koreshan 7000 acres of land from north Bonita Springs to State Park) for more photos. south Fort Myers. Teed had a vision in which he was to establish a utopian city of 10,000,000 with Credit: Structures at KSP Built before and after 62 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity 29

streets up to 400 feet (120 m) wide.63 However, membership declined following his death in 1908.

The 320 acres of land south of Fort Myers, Florida part of which would become Estero. This land area grew to become more than 6,000 - some reports of as much as 7,500 acres at its height. Some of the land was owned by individual members of the Unity to protect against legal complications. In 1904 the Koreshans filed to incorporate their community into the village of Estero, and this did not go well with THE OLD STORE the local population, who thought it would increase This is the Koreshan Old Store on the Estero River their taxes. The Koreshans were able to incorporate in the early 1900s. The first floor held merchandise 110 square miles into the village of Estero in 1904, received or shipped to be sold. The second floor making it the 5th largest city in the United States. Contained items to be sold locally, such as bread The Koreshans even created a town seal: the sun Baked by the Koreshans, honey from there rising over a waterscape with a swan floating Beehives, and items needed by the settlers. (By the on the water. At the top, a six-pointed star (Seal of way, what may appear to be a third floor in the Solomon). Then in 1907, the State of Florida photo is the roof of the New Store. ) It was a general abolished the village. It was not until late in 2014 store used by homesteaders in the Estero area.64 that the community officially became the Village of Both stores existed side by side for a time. Estero once more.

ESTERO, THE EARLY YEARS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estero,_Florida

The Old Store on the right behind the autos was constructed in 1902 /1903, and the New Store on the left faces a dirt road that would become US-41 when completed in April 1928.

Note the cars at the far right are two Mottle-T Fords. Henry Ford introduced the Mottle-T in 1908 about three months prior to Teed’s death. The old store, seen here in the photo below on the right faced the Estero River the best means of travel, if not the only means, at the time. It was an all-day affair (around 1.5 to 2 miles per hour) to go from Fort Myers to Estero about 15 miles and was about a 10 to 12 + or - hour horseback ride to Estero. Of course, this would depend on the time of year. During the summer rainy season, the trail could be covered with water and was muddy, making it much

64 https://esterohistoricalsociety.com/brief-history-of- 63 kipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity estero/koreshan-store-on-estero-river/ 30

harder to travel. The Tamiami Trail officially Domkohler, but they were not Koreshans. opened on April 25, 1928. Estero was little more than a swamp. It took a lot of long hours and hard Living here was not an easy task. Life by any work to clear land; build roads; plant crops and modern standard method of comparison was creates a community out of the Florida swamp. difficult, but it was a life they were building for themselves. Roads were little more than dirt trails between the neighboring towns. From Estero to THE NEW STORE Bonita Springs is about 8 miles or, about six more As river transportation was yielding to the hours and from Bonita Springs to Naples, Florida is automobile the new store was built in 1920. The about 14 miles. old store was later The Estero River is approximately 6.4 miles long destroyed and empties into Estero Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of some 18 Mexico. It is about 4.5 miles from the Estero years later in Koreshan Settlement to the Gulf of Mexico by way 1938 by fire of the Estero River. Up until Florida finished US-41 and was not in the mid-1920s the Estero River was the primary rebuilt. The way to move people, goods and materials from one New Store’s city to the other. Estero fell between Fort Myers, first floor was a warehouse and General Store; Bonita Springs, and Naples. Bonita Springs then the second floor was room to let and dorms for men. was called “Survey” and the stream running through The New Store is not open to the public. it, was called “Surveyor's Creek.” At the time it became much easier and faster to use the Estero River to travel to neighboring cities. US-41 then became the preferred way of travel. There was a Mobil Gas Station (no longer here) on the east side of US-41. By the way, gasoline sold for 19 cents a gallon in 1943.

THE POST OFFICE In 1960, the post office left Estero and was relocated to a storefront in San Carlos Park, about 2 miles north of Estero. It later returned to Estero in August The Koreshan Graveyard of 1983 into a new facility on former Koreshan land One of three grave sites can be found in Pelican on Broadway.65 The current post office is today Sound at the west end of Corkscrew Rd. The second located on Three Oaks Parkway. Then the new store is on the property of the Audubon Society and is not would serve as a general store and post office until accessible to the public. The third is here on the the Post Office was moved to San Carlos Park about grounds of the Park, where the last surviving three miles north of the Estero River. member of the Koreshan Unity is buried.

Hedwig Michel (1892 –1982) passed at age 90). She is buried here because of the time of her death, THE KORESHAN UNITY TRAILER PARK the graveyard was flooded and could not be used. The Trailer Park was built in the early 1940s on the There are three more gravesites here at the park near the river end the sunken gardens. The family of 65 https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/258271 31

north side of the Estero River near US-41. and may have contributed to the beating of Cyrus Currently, the Trailer Park is used today by resident (Koresh) Teed and his eventual death. members of the volunteer staff and is now called The Volunteer Village Park. THE DEATH OF TEED The above, beating fuelled by a misunderstanding over a telephone conversation, ultimately resulted in a conflict between several Koreshan men, including Teed, and some citizens of Fort Myers, accompanied by the town of Fort Myers law enforcement, Marshal Sanchez, on October 13, 1906. The Fort Myers newspaper alleged that Dr. Teed, a slight man of 67, 140 pounds, five and a half feet tall, with a size 14-inch neck and outnumbered, started the brawl. Teed was struck in the head by the town marshal several times that may have resulted in permanent damage, perhaps contributing or even causing his death, some two years later from his injuries, at age 69.

THE POLITICS OF THE KORESHANS Also, the Koreshans formed a political party called The people of Lee County were staunch followers the Progressive Liberty Party to run against the of the Democratic Party and made the Koreshans area’s established Democrats in the election of 1906. sign a document, or otherwise coerced them to only vote Democrat in all elections. However, in the1904 Looking For A Place To Build The presidential election, the Koreshans voted for Teddy Roosevelt a Republican. So Lee County (Fort Koreshan “New Jerusalem.” Myers) threw all of the Koreshans votes out. In 1904 the population of Ft. Myers was around 1500 men, MOVING TO FLORIDA women, and children. Assuming that 33% were men The first trip to Florida in early December 1893 was other than Asians and Native Americans, not without consequence. Dr. Teed met with a Mr. Remember, Native Americans, Asians and women Whitehead,66 who offered to sell land on Pine were not allowed to vote. Women gained the right to Island (off the beaten path even today, but close to vote in 1920 by the 19th amendment to the the Gulf of Mexico). The asking price of $150,000 Constitution some 16 years later. However, women was too much money for the Unity to pay, so the were allowed to pay taxes, and this was equivalent contingent returned to Chicago. Before Teed left, he to taxation without representation. Sound familiar? conducted a series of lectures and distributed Black Americans were given their freedom from pamphlets. One of the pamphlets landed in the slavery in 1865 by the 12th amendment, and then in hands of a German immigrant named Gustave 1870 black men were given the right to vote by the Damkohler.67 15th amendment to the Constitution, so if everyone voted, in Fort Myers, that would be around perhaps 400 votes or so, compared to Koreshan votes of about 50. Of the Of all of the 84 Republican vote cast in Lee County the Koreshans would have been 66 They met a Mr. Whitehead who showed them the property at around 65%. That was only 115 years ago (in 2019). St. James City. The cost was too much for the Koreshans, This engendered much anger among the two groups $150,000.00. 67 https://www.floridamemory.com/exhibits/koreshan/utopia/ 32

consideration a run of bad luck from cattlemen burning off of acreage that Damkohler had planted crops on so that it could be used for grazing land for cattle as well as illness of him and his family (discussed later). The amount of citrus, pineapple, and a few other crops, Damkohler could produce was limited to just a fraction of the land he was able to clear. He raised silkworm, honey bees, and fished to make a living.

Then, for the Damkohler’s, bad turned to worse. The THE GUSTAVE DAMKOHLER COTTAGE Damkohler family became ill with some unknown Gustave Damkohler was born on December 13, malady. In a short amount of time, Damkohler 1825, in Blankenburg, Germany and was the first would lose his wife, two weeks after the birth of homesteader68 in Estero in 1882. He farmed along their son Estero Ostego Damkohler. He would also the Estero River and then used the river to ship his lose his two daughters to this some strange ailment, harvests and goods north via the Gulf of Mexico. later was alleged to be poisoning. Damkohler would Damkohler was a remarkable man. He invented a travel to neighboring towns to collect provisions for fireless cooker (heat stove).69 He gathered many his kin, including food for his newborn son. The trip orphans, educated, and took care of them. He was a would take several days, so Damkohler arranged for landscape gardener and a medical doctor, although his neighbor (mysteriously referred to as Mr. X by there is no record that he ever practiced medicine. Elwin.) to watch over his family while he was gone. The trip could take a week or more depending on the He moved to Australia 1846, at the age of 21, to weather. mine for gold, but unable to “Strike it Rich” as a miner ended up as a cook in a mining camp. He Elwin E. Damkohler (rin:179), son of Gustov was there just a few years, and then he came back Damkohler and Alma, was to Germany until the early1880s and then left born 18 May 1878 in Germany for America, now close to 56 years old, Shelbyville, Missouri. He moving to Missouri he was married to Alma died in March 1969 in Ft. (maiden name is unknown) Alma who was 28 years Myers, Florida. Elwin younger than him (1853 to 1884). Then hearing that Damkohler would have been the Government was giving away land, 160 acres, to around four years old when people willing to homestead it, he and his wife and his mom and dad move to two daughters and his son, Elwin moved to Estero. When Gustav sold the and located in, what would become Estero. acreage along the Estero River to Teed, Elwin would have been 16. Elwin’s He later acquired an additional 160 acres. However, little brother Estero Ostego Damcholer were about this enterprise did not work well for Damkohler. six years apart.70 The land was hard to clear and took time, and Damkohler was in his mid to late 60s (around 69) Elwin Damkohler, son of Gustav and and, perhaps, was not able to do what needed to be physically done to clear the land. Also, taking into Alma, recalls the events in his book: Estero 1892 -Memories of the First Settlers. ”Note: The use of the reference to “Mr. X” rather than a 68 http://www.news-press.com/story/life/130- years/2014/12/07/gustave-damkoehler/20068753/ 69 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/gene/uged/html/fam028.html 70 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/gene/uged/html/fam108.html 33

real name could have been for legal reasons. Island, to look at some property there for the Unity, In that, to accuse a person of murder without proof the pamphlets fell into the hands of Damkohler. would be slander or libel. Please keep in mind that (Pine Island is about 32 miles north of Estero.) Elwin at this time in history would have been quite young, around 5 or 6 years. There appear to be some Damkohler liked what the pamphlets said and questions as to how much of the following story thought it to be a good idea to sell or even give his could have been recalled by him when he was so property to Cyrus Teed and join the Koreshan Unity young. and he, and his son, now 16, would be taken care of for the rest of their lives. In response to a letter sent Elwin Damkohler goes to Dr. Teed, he and an entourage of his closest on to say in his book followers returned to Southwest Florida to look at (page 20)71 the property in Estero. Damkohler and Teed came to … However, our an agreement where he would purchase 300 acres suspicions were from Damkohler for $200 acquired, equivalent to aroused. It became about $6,000 in today’s money, an excellent deal. clear that "Mr. X" 'had an ulterior motive. He had a friend, and he wanted my father to marry this friend. Damkohler held back 20 acres most likely for his Father hesitated. He said he needed time to son, Elwin then around 16 years old. After the deal deliberate. Not long afterward, our baby brother was final, Damkohler stepped forward and asked to showed signs of illness. Then the other children join the Unity. Now, as a member of the Unity became sick. Father could not determine the cause. Damkohler had to forfeit the 20 acres and the $200 He called in an English doctor. Neither could paid him for the land. Allegedly, this did not go well diagnose the ailment. Two months later, our baby with his son, Elwin, which felt Teed had tricked his brother died. Then my youngest sister and a little father into disinheriting him. while later, my oldest sister died. I was a walking skeleton. Father and the other doctor were prepared THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT for my death, which they felt would surely come. But Damkohler at age 53 had a son, Elwin Damkohler72 I did not die. I overcame the poison which the (1878 – 1969 passed at age 91). Elwin, son of diabolical "Mr. X." had introduced into our food. Gustav, did not trust the Koreshans and especially His scheme was revealed two years later. He had Teed which he believed tricked his father into poisoned us children with white lead. His plan was disinheriting him and was angry at his him for to have father marry his friend before suffering a selling the family property to Teed. Remember the like fate. "Mr. X." and his friend would then have Unity is a commune and all personal property of the 300 acres along Estero Creek worth about $25,000 members, upon joining, becomes property owned in at that time. When it became evident that I would common by the Unity. live, "Mr. X." disappeared. Father and I, both exhausted from these harrowing happenings, Therefore Damkohler had to give all of his estate to decided to take a trip down the coast in our little the Koreshans as well as the 20 acres he held back skiff sailboat for complete rest.” (sic) for his son. In return, the Koreshans would take care

of him and his son for the rest of their lives. A WAY OUT OF THE SWAMP For the next eight years or so Damkohler farmed the It is unclear if Dr. Teed was aware of Gustav land here in Estero. Now around 69, he ran across wanting to join the Unity before the sale of the some Koreshan pamphlets which were left behind by Dr. Cyrus Teed (Koresh) on his visit to Pine 72http://www.findagrave.com/cgi- 71 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/virtual_exhibit/vex3/damkohler.pdf bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38422100 34

property. However, if Teed was or was not aware, visitors that would anchor their boats in the water to it appears that both men were happy with the enjoy the performances. At that time the Estero arrangement at the time. River was more passable and two to three times wider, but because of the mangrove roots Later, however, Damkohler became disenchanted encroaching on the river, which are now illegal to with the deal and sued Teed to get his land back. cut, without a permit, it has become narrowed to Elwin had lost his two sisters and infant brother and about one-half to one-third of what it was then. when only six years old had lost his mother as well. 73 Later, in 1897 Elwin, now around age 19 or 20 A PERSPECTIVE OF THE TIMES: convinced his father to sue the Koreshans to get It was in back the 320 acres. However, Gustave and Elwin September of settled with Teed out of court for 160 acres. The big 1908, about three winner was Louis A. Hendry, Gustave’s lawyer who months before Dr. kept 80 acres as his fee. Teed's death that Henry Ford Damkohler sold his 80 acres for $1,000 and moved introduced his with his son to Alaska to mine for gold. Gustov Model T Ford to Damkohler died in Alaska at age 90, and Elwin the public. returned to Florida and became the Captain of a The Model T Ford would be followed, 19 years Charter Fishing Boat. later, in 1927 by the Model A-Ford. Five years before Teed’s death, in 1903 the Right Brothers flew the first manned, power-driven controllable aircraft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was only 66 years later that Astronaut Neal Armstrong landed on the moon. This historic event was seen by Vesta Newcome, one of the last surviving members of the Koreshan Unity, on a small TV in her cottage. More on Vesta later.

THE BAMBOO LANDING Before US-41 which was completed in the 1920s. The Bamboo Landing was used as a port for loading and unloading passengers visiting the Unity and was the formal entrance to the settlement and gardens. The Koreshans would give live performances and concerts on the stage (landing) to

73 https://books.google.com/books?id=J1BC7eFLBFcC&pg=PA176&lpg=PA1 76&dq=when+did+gustav+damkohler+get+his+land+back+for+teed&source= THE FOUNDERS HOME bl&ots=Ly1tkqTz76&sig=ACfU3U1fft0eUKJIhZxg4bZLXiFZEMAZ1A&hl= en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrybvMhOfhAhXMt1kKHVysBrgQ6AEwAHoEC The Founders' home was built in 1896. AkQAQ#v=onepage&q=when%20did%20gustav%20damkohler%20get%20hi Above is one of the homes of Dr. Cyrus R. Teed the s%20land%20back%20for%20teed&f=false 35

founder of the Koreshan Unity. His other house was After the Master’s death, Empress Victoria Gratia located on Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach) where stepped forward and announced that she was there to Cyrus was buried in 1908. On the right side of the take over. However, the membership said, “No.” building is a partially completed structure called a Victoria’s “popularity” (if we can use that word), turret. The turret (tower) was designed to give the never really amounted to much. Indeed, as long as building a castle-like appearance, and allegedly the Teed was alive, she maintained power, but this was completed turret was to have a gold dome at its top. because Dr. Teed would always defend her and her Then when visitors would come up the Estero River position within the Koreshan Unity. She lacked the to visit the Unity and disembark from their boat onto charisma of Dr. Teed and came off as arrogant and the Bamboo Landing, they would be awed by the full of herself.74 beauty of the home. At the time of Dr.Teeds’ death construction was halted on the home and the turret Victoria seemed to drop was never finished. from favor upon the At one time the Founders’ home had arches on two passing of Dr. Teed. Victoria attempted to sides. Because of termite damage to the home, the home was renovated. The concrete arches that step into the position left surrounded the house had to be removed to repair vacant by his death. She the termite damage. met with no little resistance from the Unity members they just did not like her. Twelve years after her departure, the same year as the hurricane that destroyed Teed beach home in 1921. Victoria wrote a proclamation to the Unity at Estero offering to return. I could find no reference that her offer was accepted or rejected, but I could find no indication that she ever returned.

Still, Victoria always had a small following, some of whom followed her to Central Florida after she left the Unity. Victoria always seemed to believe that she was the female Koresh, even though she The Passing of Koresh married Dr. Graves, the Koreshan dentist, two years Teed had told his followers that he would resurrect after leaving the Unity. in three days, much in the same fashion as Jesus Christ. He died on December 22nd, three days from THE BEATING AND DEATH OF KORESH Christmas. The membership felt this was a good Remember, in 1906 Teed was involved in an omen and that their Christmas present would be the altercation between Fort Myers men and members of return of their Master and he would take them up to the Unity. Marshal Sanchez, the Fort Myers sheriff, heaven with him. and his deputies struck Koresh in the head several times causing him to suffered injuries from which he never recovered, then add to this the heatstroke he suffered while in the Union Army.

74 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_Teed 36

He died on December 22, 1908. abandoned by, yet another, of the disappointed and discourage members as well. Teed's followers initially expected his resurrection, after which he and his faithful would be taken up to Plan D. Then, some of the members decided to heaven as he had predicted in his book: The place sand around the grave-site and carefully Immortal Manhood.75 The membership placed smoothed it out to show Dr. Teed’s footprints Teed’s body in a custom-made zinc bathtub and should he arise. Sadly for the members, no covered him from the waist down with a linen sheet. footprints appeared. Eventually, this plan was replaced by yet another. PLAN A. THE RESURRECTION OF KORESH On Christmas day, third days after his death, the members of a group gathered around that zinc bathtub, which held the remains of the “Beloved Founder” and with great anticipation, believed the Founder would raise from the dead in much the same matter as Jesus Christ.76 They reasoned that Jesus was entombed for three days and rose on the nd third day. Dr. Teed (Koresh) died on December 22 just three days before Christmas. It would seem to Plan E. Then, a small boat was anchored near the appear to the members the timing was perfect. They tomb to give Dr. Teed, should he rise from the dead, kept a constant vigil over his body for two days, a way to get back from Estero Island to the mainland after which time it began to show signs of decay. and the Koreshan Unity. A small cabin on the Following Christmas, the Lee County health officer grounds was used to house members who watched stepped in to order his burial. over the gravesite and to protect it from vandals.

Plan B. The members, somewhat disappointed, still THE HURRICANE believe that Dr. Cyrus (Koresh) Teed’s would rise Then, sadly in 1921, some 12 years later, a from the dead, so the members did not bury him in hurricane came through Lee county and blew the ground, but placed his remains in a small Koresh’s house, his mausoleum, his remains, Zink mausoleum, zinc bathtub and all, near his island bathtub and all, into the Gulf of Mexico. Only a few home on Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach). Now a of his bones were ever found, his skull and a couple A diminishing number of members took turns of other bones, which he followers' lovingly place, watching the tomb, but Koresh did not come back allegedly in the only building that had a lock, the from the dead. This plan too was abandoned after Old Store, and it burned down. some time. The photo was taken in 1917.

Plan C. A smaller group of a few of his most loyal THE SEVEN SISTERS members, stood to watch over the grave-site to These seven women known as the Seven Sisters ran protect it from vandalism or any harm to the site and the day to day business affairs of the Unity. At this to be a witness should Dr. Cyrus Teed (Koresh) rise time in history, women were not involved in from the grave. After a time, this plan was business. But Koresh believed in gender equality and placed these women it this position of authority.

The only male member living in the Planetary Court 75 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_Teed was one of the brothers of the Seven Sisters, Henry

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Silver Friend, the brother of Henrietta (Etta) floor, the Cupola. He acted as the protector of the Silverfriend. sisters, and because the men of that time refused to do business with women, he was also the The Seven Sisters took their name from Pleiades, spokesman for the sisters, in business dealings with a star cluster called the Seven Sisters, named the local townsmen. after Pleiades (Greek mythology); the seven sisters were companions of Artemis' in Greek mythology.

THE SISTERS Etta Silverfriend – Was the Treasurer of the Settlement. She was also the manager of the THE PLANETARY COUNCIL The Planetary Court was named after the seven Koreshan newspaper, the Flaming Sword, and did known planets in the world at the time. Bookkeeping for the Unity. She was single, and she The Seven Sisters were the Planetary Council. briefly worked for Victoria Woodhull, 1892, and Unlike the other female members of the Unity, nominated for president of the Unity. which lived in an ordinary dorm, the Seven Sisters had their own home and their private bed-chambers Evelyn Bubbett – Was the Business Manager of the /office in this building known as the Planetary Guiding Star, a Koreshan newspaper. She served as Court. the Secretary of the Board. She was married and was the mother of three children. These seven women formed the governing council of the Settlement, and who conducted the day-to- Berthaldine (Bertie) Boomer – She was an active day business affairs of the Settlement. From roles writer. She was married, but her husband stayed in of leadership as treasurer of the community to Chicago. She was a wealthy donor to the business manager of the publishing operation from Settlement. Berthaldine passed first in 1916. determining the school’s curriculum to teaching in the community school, to serving as authors and Virginia Andrews – Served as the Secretary of the lecturers on Koreshanity and were active in the Board. Married to Dr. Andrews, who died in 1891. women’s right to vote campaign. Her two sons learned printing. Allen, one of her sons, was the editor of the American Eagle, a Three of the seven lived on the first floor and four Koreshan political newspaper. on the second floor. The only male occupant was Henry Silverfriend a brother of one of the Sisters, Rose Gilbert - Became the first women U.S. Henrietta (Etta) Silverfriend. Henry lived on the top Postmasters. She had only one son.

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Ella Graham - Worked as a linotype operator in the Printshop. She was married and had four children. Her husband and three of her children left Unity. Eleanor Castle. Was a Professor of Languages when she was in Chicago.77

THE PLANETARY COUNCIL The seven women who formed the governing council of the Settlement, and who conducted the day-to-day business of the Settlement lived in the Planetary Court, thus named for the seven known planets in the world at the time. From roles of HEDWIG MICHEL leadership as treasurer of the community to business Oral History: Hedwig Michel (Listen to Hedwig tell manager of the publishing operation for determining her story) the school’s curriculum to teaching in the The last remaining follower, Hedwig Michel, In the community school, to serving as authors and photo (age 42). She had learned of the Koreshans in lecturers on Koreshanity and been active in the Germany, and as a Jew had fled Nazi persecution in women’s right to vote campaign 1940 and joined the Unity. Michel was a shot in the arm for the failing Unity and pumped into the WHY DID THE PLANETARY Settlement new life and gave them additional years COURT, AS WELL AS ALL of existence. Since the vast majority of her property was lost in transit, she arrived in Estero with few OTHER LIVING QUARTERS, material possessions. She made up for this, however, HAVE NO CLOSETS, BATHS OR with an exceptional work ethic, as well as a deep KITCHENS? interest in cellular cosmogony and extensive experience as secretary and headmistress of a Frankfurt-based boarding school. Then in 1961, she No Closets – Closets would have been taxed as a deeded the central portion of the Koreshan room. communal grounds of Florida to form a state park. In 1967 after the eleven buildings were restored the No kitchens – All members ate in the common Koreshan State Park became the Koreshan State dining hall. Historic Site. 78 Then in late 2017, the park's name was changed back to the original name of the No bathrooms, no running water, and a belief by Koreshan State Park. some it was wrong to have a toilet in the same place you lived. The Unity used outhouses. However, after the death of Dr. Teed and the decline of the membership, the home was occupied by Hedwig Michel, and she had a bathroom built on the second floor of the Planetary Court. The other members of the Planetary Court did not feel it 77 Liz Brown - We are telling the story of the Women and in doing so, honoring the intention of the last leader of the Settlement, Hedwig proper to have a bathroom in the same place you Michel. live in and refused to live there. Hedwig had the home all to herself.

78 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreshan_Unity 39

HEDWIG MICHEL – GRAVE (1892 – 1982) passed at age 90). The last remaining follower, Hedwig Michel continued to live in the building called the “Planetary Court.” She died in Was their equality of the sexes? 1982 and is the only Koreshan buried within the I think that Teed believed in the equality of the park because the graveyard of the members was sexes, but he was also a realist and saw that the underwater at the time due to heavy rains. world outside of Estero, at least in the early 20th century, was a Man’s World. Of course, Victoria was on the road as well, but I have yet to see much evidence of her or the Planetary Court Sisters running the day to day activities outside the Unity. Gender equality had more to do with job opportunities and fair pay. Only later would women find a broader definition of equality.

THE DINNER BELL The dinner bell was rung four times a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and the fourth time about ten minutes to 10:00 PM to let the unity know that they were going to shut the power off in the generator building, this would give the members' time to lite their kerosene lamps and prepare for the night.

GEORGE HUNT (1864-1942) As seen in the correspondence between Teed and George Hunt, when Teed was on the road, he

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corresponded with Hunt. Hunt became the face of to the main building (no longer here). Most likely to authority, in the absence of Dr. (Koresh) Teed, and confine the heat to the bakery ran the day to day activities at the Unity. George and not the baker's work area. Hunt was responsible for dealing with the outside The bread contained yeast world as the voice of the Seven Sisters and causing it to rise, so the local Victoria. George would speak to the neighboring folks of the surrounding town communities on the business affairs of the Unity. call it “Rising Bread.” The Although there is some documentation the Henry town-folks loved it because Silverfriend brother to one of the Seven Sisters, the bread they were used to Henrietta (Etta) Silverfriend, spoke for the Unity to was bread cooked in a skillet the world outside in earlier years. The relationship on the stove and called Skillet between George and Henry: It is my take that Henry was Teed's business rep and traveled extensively to develop new business interests. Bread. The He also was the rep for the ladies of the Planetary Koreshan Bread Court in local business dealings. George Hunt was, was much like the in reality, the #2 man under Teed and was Teed's white bread you right-hand man so to speak. The letters to Hunt would purchase in from Teed show that he was a confident and in stores today. Skillet charge of implementing Teed's decisions when Bread was unleavened bread and for most was less Teed was traveling. Victoria had the title of being appetizing. co-leader, but George made the wheels turn.

79 Portrait of Koreshans Julius Koester THE BAKERY and Vesta Newcomb The first floor was the bakery. Where allegedly, the (1969) Vesta Newcomb, at age 90 was alive to see bakers could bake as many as 600 loaves of bread a the American Astronaut, Neal Armstrong, walk on day. However, usually, they baked from 200 to 250 the Moon in July of that year. loaves a day to feed the members and to sell in the store. The second floor of the bakery was used as a When asked by reporters, from the Fort Myers dorm for the bakers, around 6 to 8 in all and also News-Press, about her belief in Cellular served as a dorm for the baker’s apprentices. Cosmogony (That is, that we live inside of the earth) she replied – “Well, I did believe it until I saw the boys walking on the Moon.” A room containing the baker’s ovens was attached

79 https://allairevillage.org/bakery/ 41

Lillian (Vista) Newcomb lived in the cabin here at KORESHAN LAUNDRY HOUSE the Koreshan Park for another five years, and the No longer here group went into decline. The property was donated The Koreshan Laundry House was built in 1903. to the State of Florida and became a State Park in 80 Reportedly, the entire settlement’s laundry was 1961. The four remaining members lived out washed and dried in only one day (11 hours). their lives on the grounds. Vesta Newcomb passed in 1974, and the last member to die was Hedwig THE LAUNDRY (No longer here) Michel which passed away in 1982. All members of the Unity laundry were done here at the laundry house. There were between 5 & 7 members of staff. The laundry contained three machines, a washer, an extractor, and a tumbler. The extractor, similar to a spin dryer, that allegedly would spin at 3000 RPM and could spin all the water out of the clothes leaving them virtually dry but pressed together tightly. The newly washed clothing was then placed in a third machine called a tumbler. The tumbler would rotate and loosen the clothing up so it could be hung up to dry and to allow the wrinkles to fall out. The laundry house was torn down in the mid-1950s when no longer THE LARGE MACHINE SHOP needed. The laundry house three machines, a The Laundry House would have stood just to the washer, an extractor, and a tumbler. east end (right) of the Large Machine Shop. This one-story, wood-frame structure, of irregular configuration, contained the steam power equipment that served the adjacent laundry and supplied power to various equipment used by the Unity. The laundry house was removed in the late 1940s or early1950s. The Laundry House would have stood just to the east end of the large machine shop. THE WASHER

THE EXTRACTOR

80 Vesta Newcomb, Hedwig Michel, Conrad Schlender and THE TUMBLER Alfred Christianson. 42

THE TENNIS COURT (No longer here) The Tennis Court, located just south of the Vista Newcomb home, was constructed in the 1940s. It THE GENERATOR BUILDING was broken into sections in the late early 1950s and A rather large structure, built of wood frame reused as roadbed in the adjacent Koreshan owned construction. The structure, was built in 1908, was trailer park just across the Estero River from the made of corrugated metal sides and roof. It provided store. electric power to the Koreshans. Although it is called the Generator Building because it housed a Westinghouse Alternator, that produced an alternating current rather than a direct current a more accurate name would have been the Alternator Building. While portions of the equipment remain, the majority was sold by the settlement in the 1930s and 40s when money was needed to maintain the Settlement.

The equipment was purchased and shipped to the Koreshan Unity from the north and was generating electricity to the buildings as early as 1912.81 THE MEMBER’S COTTAGE (1903 / 1904) It is a one-story cottage located near the Vesta Newcomb home. It became the home of Conrad Schlender (1876-1965) in the late 1920s during the depression era. Conrad Schlender’s primary job was farming and taking care of the Unity’s cattle, although his job title is listed as a mechanic. Later the home was used as a guest house for the guests of the Unity and was one of two homes having an inside bathroom, the Planetary Court being the other. This house would have been similar to those the male members would have built using their credits for hours worked. 81 http://koreshan.mwweb.org/teed_kshs.htm 43

THE FAIRBANKS-MORSE ENGINE THE SMALL MACHINE SHOP Eventually, a more powerful Fairbanks-Morse The bowed roof has a unique, curved shape and is Diesel engine replaced the original steam engine. particularly evident from the inside of the building. The Unity purchased the 80 HP Diesel Engine in The workshop manufactured small and specialized June 1925 for $1932.00. It was in service until tools and kitchen items and provided timepiece and August 1946 when Florida Power & Light (FPL) shoe repair.83 began servicing the area. For more information on this building Google: The Generator Building at Koreshan State Historic Site.82

Engine Demonstration Meet at the Generator Building in the Historic Koreshan Settlement for demonstrations of the Fairbanks Morse Engine. 11:30 a.m. Wednesday during tourist season, from January to March. Inside the Small Machine Shop VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0jYZbpc-TY

83 http://www.heathermccurdy.com/archives/2006/01/koreshan_s tate.html

82http://www.heathermccurdy.com/archives/2006/01/index.htm l 44

THE ANNA LEWIS HOME (Not open to visitors) THE STORAGE SHED: This house, called “El Retiro,” was built around The storage shed is constructed of log (peeled 1930 and was where Anna Lewis and her husband cypress and pine). Most likely the shed was used to Frank lived until their death. Anna, along with her store wood for the steam boilers used to power family lived near Moravia NY. After the passing of equipment by the Koreshans. her and her husband, the property reverted to the Koreshan Unity. Frank Lewis was an accountant, and Anna was the postmistress for the City of Everglades. Anna died in 1972.

Should you have any questions or commits, please e-mail me, Roger Parlin, at ([email protected]) or call me.

This work was gathered from a multitude of documents from other written contributions and is not intended for resale, but to be used as a teaching tool to help others in understanding the rich history THE WOOD STOVE IN THE STORAGE SHED of Estero and the Koreshans. The stove was initially used at a slave camp at the Kingsley Plantation located near Jacksonville, Florida. From there it was moved to Tallahassee, Florida and stored in a museum. Later Hedwig Michel found out about it and had it moved to Koreshan State Park and restored and placed in the bakery. Then from the bakery, it was placed in the storage shed. It is still in use today. It is now utilized by the Park to prepare some of the food that was eaten by the Members. Date of construction is unknown but assumed to be around 1910.

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KORESHANS TIMELINE 1882: Teed and one brother and sister moved to Lyn Millner Syracuse, New York, where they opened a medical electricity practice, which failed after a patient 1839 (October 18): Cyrus Reed Teed was born near accused him of extorting money from her by Trout Creek, Delaware County, New York. His claiming that he was a messiah. mother and father were Sarah Tuttle and Jesse Teed; later, Cyrus would call attention to being from the 1886 (September): Teed got his big break when he “root of Jesse” as was King David. was invited to Chicago to speak to the Mental Science National Association conference. Here, he 1859: Teed married Fidelia M. Rowe, his second found the audience he had sought, and he began cousin. She died in 1885. attracting followers. 1860: Teed and his wife had a son, Douglas Arthur 1886: Teed moved from New York to Chicago and Teed, who became a noted artist. established the World’s College of Life, a publishing office, and a secular society, the group an 1862: Teed enlisted in Company F, 127th New outsider joined as the first step toward joining York Infantry of the New York volunteers as a Koreshanity. corporal. 1886 (December): The Koreshans began publishing 1863: On a march in Virginia, Teed suffered a monthly magazine, The Guiding Star, “the sunstroke, which led to the paralysis of his left arm expositor of the divine science.” After a brief hiatus and leg. He was hospitalized in Alexandria, in 1889, the magazine began again as The Flaming Virginia, for two months and then discharged from Sword, which was printed continuously through the Army. 1948. 1868: Teed graduated from the Eclectic Medical 1888: One of Teed’s patients, a Mr. Fletcher College of the City of New York. Benedict, died under Teed’s faith healing treatment. A coroner’s inquest determined that Teed had 1869: In his electro-alchemical laboratory in Utica, practiced medicine without a license in Illinois. This New York, Teed had what he later called “an is the last record of Teed’s practicing medicine. illumination,” a visit from an angel who revealed to him his divine purpose: to redeem humanity. 1888: Teed founded the first communal home in Chicago, on College Place opposite Groveland Park 1880: Teed founded a community in Moravia, New and near the old University of Chicago. Within a York. Eleven people lived there; three (his mother, year, between thirty and sixty followers lived in the father, and one sister) were not followers. home. 1881: Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian 1890: Teed published “The Illumination,” an Science, started the Massachusetts Metaphysical account of his visit from the angel 21 years earlier. College. Her ideas about spirituality and health clearly influenced Teed, though he gave her no 1890-1891: Teed established a community in San credit. A Koreshan advertisement in a Chicago Francisco on Noe Street, called “Ecclesia.” paper in 1887 indicates that Teed considered his college in competition with Eddy’s. 1891: The Shakers initiated Teed into their novitiate order. 1882: German homesteader Gustave Damkohler and his family came to southwest Florida to settle 1892: Teed changed his name to Koresh, the the land that would become the Koreshans’. Hebrew transliteration of “Cyrus,” after Cyrus the Great, who became a messiah after defeating the

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Babylonians. His followers began using A.K. (Anno cast votes, the chairman of the Democratic executive Koresh) to track the years after Teed’s birth. committee threw out their ballots. 1892: The Koreshan colony in San Francisco 1906 (June): The Koreshans started their own moved to Chicago, and 110 Koreshans crowded into paper, The American Eagle, and a press war with the communal home in Chicago. the Fort Myers Press began. They also started a 1892: The Koreshans moved from College Place political party, the Progressive Liberty party. into two places: One was a mansion in Washington 1906 (October): Teed and several other Koreshans Heights; the other, a crowded apartment building in were beaten in a street fight in downtown Fort Normal Park. Tension built between Chicago’s Myers. citizens and the Koreshans. 1908 (December 22): Teed died. His followers, 1893: Teed and two Koreshan women visited believing that he would resurrect, watched over his Florida, looking for land where they could build a dead body for five days before burying him. new settlement. 1940: A Jewish woman named Hedwig Michel 1894: The Koreshan Unity bought 300 acres in arrived, having escaped Nazi Germany. She revived Estero, Florida, from the German homesteader, the community economically reopening its general Gustave Damkohler, for $200. store and starting a restaurant. 1894: The first group of Koreshans moved to 1961: Hedwig Michel and the last three followers Florida from Chicago and began building on the donated more than 300 acres of Koreshan land to the land. state of Florida to form a park. This included the 1903 (September): The Koreshan Unity land where the settlement sat and much of Mound incorporated under New Jersey laws. It was a for- Key, believed to be a ceremonial center of the profit corporation, modeled after Standard Oil’s Calusa Indians. structure. 1974: The last original believer, Lillian “Vesta” 1903 (November): All remaining Koreshans in Newcomb, died. Chicago moved to Estero. 1976: The park was added to the National Register 1904 (September): The Koreshans incorporated the of Historic Places. town of Estero. Note: Though Estero’s incorporation 1982: Hedwig Michel died. was reported in the Fort Myers paper and reported by the Koreshans, the Clerk of the Circuit Court 1991: Teed’s original for-profit corporation was later told a scholar that the Koreshans never filed a dissolved and a private nonprofit was created. Now plat for the village and never formally incorporated named the College of Life Foundation, it holds what (Landing 1997: 395fnt45). remains of the original Koreshan land, seventy-five acres. 1906: As an election approached, people in Lee ======County feared that the Koreshans might put pro-tax candidates in office and that the community could take tax revenue from other areas of the county. 1906 (May): During the Democratic primary, tension boiled over between the people of Fort Myers and the community. After the Koreshan men

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Roger Parlin Please see the following links for additional information on Koreshan State Park and how you can help by becoming a part. Volunteer Application Volunteer Programs Volunteer Portal My Facebook Board of Directors Upcoming Events Resources Join the Friends of Koreshan State Park

Most of the pictures came from the Koreshan sites listed in the references, but a few came from the Moses G. Weaver Papers and internet searches.

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