Recreation (back)
In 1890's Dr. Cyrus Teed, a Civil War veteran changed his name to Koresh which is Hebrew for Cyrus and created a new religious sect, Koreshan Unity. The Koreshans believed the Earth to be a hollow globe, with mankind living on the inside surface of the earth and gazing at the solar system within. He gathered followers and moved from Chicago to Estero, Florida to build a commune. Their numbers never exceeded 250. Some of the buildings of this unique utopian city still stand including a theater exhibiting a hollow globe which displays their embodiment of their belief. The self-sufficient Koreshans believed in equality of the sexes, celibacy and a devotion to the arts. In 1961 the last 4 members of the Koreshan Unity donated the land to the state of Florida to become a park.