On my way between Tampa and the Everglades, I had planned a couple of additional stops at points of interest. The first was the state historic site and former home to the now defunct religious movement of the Koreshan Unity. This self-sustaining community was founded in 1894 by the two-hundred or so followers of Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, who adopted the name Koresh. Koresh was regarded by his followers as a new messiah. His teachings started in the 1870's and would very likely be called "cultish" in today's society. He preached celibacy, community, and equality to attain immortality. His group also believed in the hollow Earth theory, that described a system where we lived inside the crust of the planet and the sky was was also inside the planet. The group went to great lengths, even inventing some "scientific" equipment, to attempt to prove their beliefs. Koresh died in 1908 and membership declined steadily until the the final four remaining members deeded the land and community to the State of Florida in 1961.
As I walk around these old buildings and homes, I can't help but imagine what life must have been like here. The accommodations are nice, even by today's standards and it seems the community had everything it needed to sustain itself. I'm struck though by the concept of being tied to this man and believe system, without the ability to express one's own ideas.
It seems the grounds are kept in a state of arrested decay for the most part and many of the homes and other structures have plexiglass walls built preventing visitors from entering into the furnished areas, while allowing visibility. There are actually quite a few visitors here, more than I would expect for such a place. It's an interesting reminder of how easily people can be influenced and the control that some of those influencers can maintain.
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