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Koreshan State Historic Site an Estero attraction

By Staff | May 28, 2009

A pristine reserve in Estero, one of the fastest-developing areas of Florida, Koreshan State Historic Site on the Estero River combines history and nature for a magnificent outdoor experience.

With a colorful past that started with the settlement of the area by Cyrus Reed Teed and his followers in 1894, the site now stands as a state park commemorating Teed’s religious movement to build New Jerusalem in Southwest Florida. This Koreshan Unity believed the universe existed at the center of a giant hollowed sphere. Though the movement faded after Teed’s death in 1908, the last followers deeded the land to the state in 1961.

Almost 50 years later, visitors can walk the park’s trails, fish with alligators and wading birds on the Estero River, picnic, canoe or camp overnight. The site is open from 8 a.m. to dusk 365 days a year. Admission is $1 for pedestrians or bikers and as little as $3 for those in automobiles. The camping fee is $22 per night.

To get to Koreshan State Historic Site on Corkscrew Boulevard, take Interstate 75 to Exit 123. The park entrance is located on Corkscrew Boulevard just west of its intersection with Tamiami Trail South (U.S. 41). For more information, call 992-0311.