• Home
  • North America
    • Mexico
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Rhode Island
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Wyoming
  • Europe
    • Italy
    • Scotland
    • Spain
  • Central America
    • Belize
    • Costa Rica
    • Nicaragua
  • South America
    • Panama
  • Caribbean
    • Dominican Republic
  • Asia
    • China
    • South Korea
  • Pacific Islands
    • Philippines
  • Travel Farther Smarter
  • Submissions
  • About Us
  • We invite you …
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Page
  • Submissions
  • About Us
  • We invite you …
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Page
facebook twitter youtube reddit tumblr
You Me and the Dock
  • Home
  • North America
    • Mexico
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • Ohio
      • Rhode Island
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Wyoming
  • Europe
    • Italy
    • Scotland
    • Spain
  • Central America
    • Belize
    • Costa Rica
    • Nicaragua
  • South America
    • Panama
  • Caribbean
    • Dominican Republic
  • Asia
    • China
    • South Korea
  • Pacific Islands
    • Philippines
  • Travel Farther Smarter
Home  >  Florida • North America • United States  >  Welcome to Koreshan State Park
FloridaNorth AmericaUnited States

Welcome to Koreshan State Park

Tony Scopel Posted onMarch 6, 2020March 6, 2020 Comments are off 1661 Views
an image of a picnic area in koreshan state park

image of koreshan state park signSouthwest Florida wasn’t just rows of palm trees, miles of white sand beaches and Caribbean fed Gulf water. Early settlers set out in search for new homesteads. Several of them ventured to South West Florida. They didn’t find beach bars and gated communities filled with condos and patio homes.

One of those pioneers was Dr. Cyrus Teed. This self-proclaimed Messiah who took on the name Koresh, began to preach the scientific ideas of Koreshanity. His beliefs were that the earth was actually hollow and resided within its own sphere. Cyrus and his followers – known as the Koreshans, settled in SW Florida and started a small township.

RoamRight travel insurance

The Koreshan State Park is located in Estero, Florida. It follows along the Estero River which empties into the Estero Bay and Preserve. This State Park is a protected sanctuary and offers several water activities like fishing and non-motorized boating. There are also various camping sites, picnic areas, and an abundances of wildlife and vegetation.

Load up your kayak and head to the park. Upon arrival, there will be a nominal entry fee. Once in the park, you can follow the signs to the kayak-friendly ramp. From here you can float up or down the river. You could make a day of it by venturing out to the back bay. When enjoying all the wildlife, always be on the look out for alligators. Stay inside your kayak and there is no swimming anywhere in the park at anytime.

an image of a picnic area at koreshan state parkJust a few hundred yards away from the kayak ramp is the picnic area. There are a several pavilions with tables and benches. Other amenities include outdoor picnic benches, BBQ grills, a playground, bathroom facilities, and plenty of open space to toss a frisbee or football. The towering pine and oak trees provide plenty of shade. Its a great way to spend the day enjoying the outdoors.

This 305 acre State Park offers a variety of trails to explore. There are layers of vegetation, lush foliage and exotic trees along the trail’s paths. Don’t be surprised if you see a Grey Fox or if you are fortunate enough, a Bobcat.

a large turtle at koreshan state parkIt is not uncommon to come across a Gopher Tortoise crossing your path. The park is also a birdwatchers paradise. There are such species as the Swallow Tail Kite, Bald Eagles, Bobwhites and Belted Kingfishers to mention a few.

Several trails connect with the Estero River. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to rest or sight see. You could spot a River Otter or even an Manatee during the winter months.

There is so much beauty to see while exploring the preserve. With South West Florida having a tropical like environment, Spanish Moss – which is actually a flowering plant, hangs off many of the Big Cypress and Oak Trees. It gives a mystical feel to the surroundings.

The Koreshan Park was home to early pioneers like Cyrus Teed and the Koreshans. They started their township in 1893 circa. Cyrus was quite the innovator when it came to establishing a functioning community.

Besides having several homes and cottages, there was a commercial area as well. The town’s people had access to a general store, art hall, bakery, cafe, machine shops and a blacksmith. There was also a laundromat and a generator plant that provided limited electricity. It was quite modern for its time.

Amongst the 11 buildings, there is the main house and several smaller cottages throughout the settlement. Most of the cottages offered nicely furnished accommodations. The towns population reached 250. After Cyrus Teed’s passing in 1908, the community declined and eventually disbanded in 1961.

The following attachment includes a brief video with a slide show for your visual entertainment. It will provide more interesting photographs regarding Cyrus Teed and the Koreshans planned utopia, the parks terrain and the Estero River. Sit back and enjoy!

Explore great vacation deals with our Florida Tours & Things to Do at Tours4Fun.com!

Author: Anthony Scopel
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Video:
Anthony and Maureen Scopel
Article Creator & Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper

Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publisher: You, Me and The Dock

 

0
SHARES
ShareTweet
Previous Article Cabo San Lucas
Next Article Fishing the Isles of Capri

Related Posts

  • The Greeley Independence Stampede Demolition Derby

    August 9, 2023
  • virginia city nevada

    Welcome to Virginia City

    July 29, 2023
  • Parrot Key Caribbean Grill’s Car Show

    April 3, 2023

Where We’ve Traveled

Visit Villas De Cisnes
Subscribe to You, Me and the Dock and we'll take you around the world with us.
Loading

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
facebook twitter youtube reddit tumblr
Powered by Kemper Kreative, LLC © Copyright 2023. You, Me and the Dock.