Koreshan State Park

After only completing five hours at Calusa Nature Center, I needed one more service learning day of 5hrs to reach the 10 hour limit for Colloquium. Me and Sara Rieverley traveled to 41 and Corkscrew at 8AM with no idea what would be at hand. A park ranger had us fill out a few papers and then gave us a guide to the facility. He gave us a quick education that the Koreshan Settlers brought in many exotic plants that were endangering native plants and wildlife. The only way to control these devastating native plants was by routine controlled burnings. Unfortunately the Summer in FL is too humid and controlled burns present a potential threat of forest fires.

Me and Sarah entered the settlement with no idea what would be in store for us. I was expecting another nature preserve like the previous field trips, but Koreshan Park was nothing like this. An abandoned city holding no more then 10 buildings stood with a wild assortment of plants. The small settlement bordered Estero River, and once was home to over 200 citizens. The town was founded by Cyrus Teed, an alchemist and religious pioneer. Koresh itself is hebrew for Cyrus, which was the name of the religion he created "Koreshanity". He believed the town would be a "New Jerusalem" and ultimately he'd become the "New Messiah". Teed had many crazy theories including the hollow earth theory, which is absurd with the knowledge we've attained today.

  

                                                Sara with Teed's actual Hollow Earth model


Teed was severely injured in a scuffle with a Fort Myer's Marshall, and these injuries would eventually lead to his death. The Koreshan people left his body in a tub, awaiting his resurrection to no avail. His body would then be buried on Fort Myers Beach under 24hr guard until he was finally washed away. This would be the beginning of the end. By 1983 the last Koreshan would die on the grounds of the State Park. The Koreshans had great intent at building a city that would house a population of 10 million. Unfortunately for us the plants they brought with them would outlive that dream, and to this day we are battling these exotic plants.

                                                             Cyrus Teed's New Jerusalem

Clair, a park ranger at the grounds had us help remove some of these dangerous plants by hand. She explained that plants like the Bamboo, and Monkey Puzzle Trees were traded between the Koreshan's and Edison. The Bamboo in particular has been one of the most rampant spreaders, it can be found far outside the grounds of the state park. We were told to remove two plants in particular Cesar Weed (an invasive weed that grows sharp thorns), and Rosary Weed which is infamous for climbing and destroying other plants.

                                      Bamboo spreading rapidly on the Koreshan Nature Walk