complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Koreshan State Historic Site
Acres: 163.58 Managing
Agency:
Description:
DRP
Current Management Plan
Approved:
Throughout its history, Florida has welcomed pioneers of all kinds. The followers of Cyrus Teed
founded the Koreshan community on the banks of the Estero River, south of Fort Myers, in 1894.
The community was created as a utopian, post-Christian philosophical association based on
revelations experienced by Dr. Teed. Of the many unique beliefs of the group was the idea that
the earth is a hollow sphere, and “We live inside.” Today, visitors can tour the historic community,
camp fish, picnic, boat and hike at the park. Both ranger- and self-guided tours of the settlement
are available. A boat ramp and canoe rentals are available. For overnight stays, the park has a
full-facility campground.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Set new record for most acres burned in a year.
Visitor Services
• With the support of CSO, the park introduced a new interpretive program (“Cowboy Cooking”)
and a new event (“A Taste of History”).
• Improvements for ADA access to Planetary Court and Large Machine Shop were made in the
Historic Settlement.
Other
• The “Ghost Walk” event in 2009 won the statewide best CSO event award.
225
2003