National Register of Historic Places

Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District

Estero, Lee County, Florida
Listed
May 3, 1976
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
76000599

About this property

The Koreshan State Park is a state park in Estero, Florida located on U.S. Highway 41 at Corkscrew Road. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 1976, under the designation of Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District. It contains areas of pine flatwoods habitat and the site of a religious colony, the Koreshan Unity, whose last members deeded the land to the state in 1961. The Koreshans imported a wide range of plant species from across the world, including: an Araucaria bidwillii (false monkey puzzle) tree, which is indigenous to Queensland, Australia, and drops seed pods as large as a football; a number of sausage trees, which are native to Africa and a favored food of giraffes; eucalyptus, mango and other fruit bearing trees; an extraordinary amount of Japanese bamboo that originally hails from the Edison and Ford Winter Estates; and many flowering trees and plants of a wide variety. Among the wildlife of the park are gopher tortoises, bobcats, gray foxes, North American river otters and American alligators. Birds spotted include swallow-tailed kites, bald eagles, northern bobwhites and red-shouldered hawks. Activities include fishing, picnicking, and boating, as well as camping, canoeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include a campground, boat ramp, trails and a picnic area on the Estero River. Kayak rentals from Estero Bay Outfitters on the river are available within a relatively short distance outside the park. Koreshan State Park has 60 campsites, 4 of which are glamping sites. Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sunset every day of the year (including holidays). Media related to Koreshan State Historic Site at Wikimedia Commons

Location

Estero, Lee County, Florida
26.43492, -81.81165

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTAGRICULTUREEDUCATIONEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTRELIGIONSOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Mound House
Pre Contact
7.2 mi
Bonita Springs School
Industrial
7.3 mi
Fort Myers Beach School
Early Republic
7.9 mi
Sanibel Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters
Industrial
12.6 mi
Jewett-Thompson House
Industrial
13 mi

Nearby Battles

Harney's Massacre at Caloosahatchee River (1839)
1839Early Republic
13 mi

Questions about this property

When was Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District listed on the National Register?

Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 3, 1976.

What type of historic resource is Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District?

Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District?

The period of significance for Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District?

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