An odd religious cult lived in Estero, Florida, from 1894 to 1961, with its heyday in the first two decades. Followers of Cyrus Teed believed that the earth existed on the INSIDE of a hollow sphere. They also demanded celibacy, a sure way to assure that the cult would die out.
The State received the Koreshan State Historic Site in 1961 as a gift from the last Koreshans.
I visited the day before a quilt show. The organizers spread quilts around one of the buildings.
An interesting world perspective.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very nice spot to visit.
ReplyDeleteTypo alert Jack - those dates "from 1984 to 1961" don't make a lot of sense till you swap the 8 and 9 in 1984! :)
I have heard of that group once before. Weird way of thinking, but cults will do that to you.
ReplyDeleteThere are strange things and people in the world!
ReplyDeleteOops. Yes, it was 1894 to 1961. Corrected now. Thanks, Paul.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting view of the world. They are much like the Shakers of Kentucky, in that they demanded celibacy. The Shakers died out as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing this. They had a better sense of design than geography.
ReplyDeleteMany cults flourished in the 19th and early 20th Century. The most successful of them were either celibate or sexual open. Apparently many people were seeking for something to believe. Some of these cults held rather strange beliefs. Often they were lead by charismatic leaders, and when those leaders left or died the cult fell apart. This is a new one to me.
ReplyDeleteCurious place. Haven't been there for about 10 years...but, it always seems to be fairly busy whenever I drive by.
ReplyDeleteThe more history I read the more I realize that people are no more crazy now than they've ever been, tho they usually haven't taken over the White House.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of them - but I guess there are always those that will follow strange beliefs that seem crazy to others. At least it sounds like they just lived simply and didn't go round harming people who thought differently. It looks a fascinating place to visit.
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