By Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero.

Introduction

Many residents of Greater Estero are unaware of the fascinating history that makes our community unique and a special place to live or visit. Knowing the local history helps you understand how your community developed—the people, events, and decisions that shaped it.

This historical information gives meaning to local traditions, landmarks, and even place names. History connects you to the past and gives you a sense of belonging. Understanding where you live can strengthen your connection to it and help you feel like part of a larger story.

By knowing what’s historically significant, you’re more likely to care about protecting historic buildings, landscapes, or traditions that might otherwise be lost to time or development. It also helps you become a more informed, empathetic, and engaged member of your community. It turns where you live from just a place into a story, you’re now a part of.

As you may be aware, “Estero” is Spanish for “estuary,” referring to where a river meets the sea. The name reflects the area’s geographic nature.

Estero was first incorporated as a town in 1904 (via the Koreshan Unity), with a significant boundary, but the incorporation was short‐lived because the Florida legislature abolished the municipality in 1907. However, this was reestablished on December 31, 2014.

The History.

Let’s quickly review Estero’s key historical events.

The Calusa and Mound Key¹.

Long before modern settlements, the Calusa people inhabited the area. They built large shell mounds, canals, and structures. Mound Key, in Estero Bay, was likely their ceremonial center. The Calusa society developed from that of archaic peoples of the Everglades region. Previous Indigenous cultures had lived in the area for thousands of years. They created a complex culture based on estuarine fisheries rather than agriculture. Their principal city of Calos was probably at Mound Key, and their territory reached at least from Charlotte Harbor to Marco Island.

In 1566, the Spanish built a fort and the first Jesuit mission in Spanish Florida on Mound Key, but it was abandoned after a few years due to conflict with the Calusa.

1. Early Homesteaders & Agriculture².

In the late 1800s, German homesteader Gustave Damkohler was one of the first to farm citrus near the Estero River (then called Estero Creek). He used the river to ship the harvest north by water. Damkohler later deeded land to a religious communal group, which played a central role in Estero’s development.

2. The Koreshan Unity (Utopian Sect)³

The Koreshan Unity is perhaps the most unusual part of Estero’s history. Cyrus Teed founded a sect called the Koreshan Unity, which believed in a hollow Earth theory (that people live on the inside of Earth’s outer shell).

In 1894, followers moved from Chicago to the area, establishing a communal settlement. They developed infrastructure, including schools, a store, a blacksmith, a sawmill, and a theater.

After Teed died in 1908, the group gradually declined. By 1961, the last members deeded the land to the State of Florida. Much of their original settlement is preserved as the Koreshan State Historic Site. Guided tours can be arranged with the assistance of volunteers who are highly knowledgeable and dedicated to helping residents and visitors better understand the significance of the Koreshans in establishing Estero as a key location in Florida.   (Photo above of Founders House, courtesy of Ebyabe – own work)

3. Happehatchee Center.

The Happehatchee Center is a 4.5-acre nature sanctuary and spiritual/eco-spiritual center located in Estero, Florida. It’s situated along both sides of the Estero River, offering riverbank frontage and natural, forested land, with “old Florida” vegetation (oaks, palms, bamboo, etc.).  There was a Peace Pavilion (an open-air structure), trail systems, an organic garden, nature paths, and a river launch. It was used in the past for yoga, meditation, ecological education, healing circles, sacred ceremonies, etc.

The land was acquired in 1972 by Ellen Peterson, an environmentalist, activist, and community organizer. Peterson used the property as a retreat, a place for small group workshops, spiritual & nature-based gatherings. In 2006, she and others formed Happehatchee Center, Inc., a nonprofit to formalize its use as an eco‑spiritual center.

The name “Happehatchee” is said to come from Native American words meaning “Happy River.” It’s part of preserving a piece of “old Florida” — the natural landscape, including trees, riverbanks, and subtropical forests that are increasingly rare amid development.

While Ellen Peterson was alive the center served multiple community functions, including spiritual and healing practices, nature & environmental education, and cultural events. It was a place that brought people together. (Details of Ellen Peterson’s life have been appended)

In December 2019, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed, designating approximately 4.5 acres of land (where Ellen Peterson lived), as shown in Figure 1 below, as part of the area the Village of Estero is developing. In the agreement, in brief, requested that:

• The Village provides stewardship to preserve the riverbank, mature trees, bamboo, native vegetation, and natural water spring, all consistent with best practices.
• The property could be used by organizations engaged in environmental education.
• The Ellen Peterson land be suitably signed and “denoted.”

Since the Village purchased the overall property along the Estero River in 2018, various discussions have occurred with the public and architects about acceptable options. More recently, the Estero River Park (formerly known as “Estero on the River”) project is a transformative initiative by the Village of Estero, Florida, aimed at preserving natural landscapes, enhancing recreational opportunities, and promoting environmental sustainability. This purchase was conducted in response to residents’ requests to embrace Estero’s historic heritage and protect the environment.

However, the timing on this development has slipped, but it is hoped that residents will be able to access the area very soon.  Various commitments such as improvements to access, preserving the riverbank, adding trails, and installing nature signage, among other enhancements are being implemented.

Although there are those who would like to see Ellen Peterson’s gifted land and old buildings (The Girl Scout Camp) used for yoga, meditation, ecological education, the Village is still assessing their overall plans. The Girl’s Scout Camp building has received historic designation and is also handicapped accessible, but like other buildings on the site, require repairs; but it is hoped these will be retained.

The Estero River Park exemplifies the Village of Estero’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. By transforming a previously approved high-density development site into a preserved natural area with passive recreational amenities, the Village is enhancing the quality of life for its residents while protecting vital ecosystems. Hopefully the buildings and swing bridge across the river which are important heritage items will be retained.

The area south of the Estero River along with the Koreshan Site, will serve as a major attraction for visitors to the area. Therefore, every effort should be made to retain some aspects of Ellen Perterson’s gifted property.

Care should be taken to preserve the “wetlands.”  They need to be allowed to continue receiving rain during the wet season. Paths should not be raised that would cut off the flow of water to the low ground that currently occurs. Several residents have made the point that

• The nature of the materials used for the car park should be permeable (such as crushed shells and pavers) to benefit the wetlands and surrounding vegetation. Plantings around the car park would also be a benefit.
• It would be disappointing if the swing bridge across the river was removed, given its historical significance, as it has been in position across the river for 50 years. Signs preventing anyone from using it would be necessary.

Engage Estero, encourages the Village to complete plans to enable the public to have safe access to the site as soon as possible. Although access was planned for October, the work has not yet been completed, so there is no public access allowed at this time.

References.

1 Mound Key Archaeological State Park. This remote island holds keys to Florida’s ancient history and its people. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park

2. Estero History. https://estero-fl.gov/estero-history/
3. The Koreshan Unity. Florida Memory, State Library & Archives of Florida. https://www.floridamemory.com/
4. The Happehatchee Center Estero. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34208-d7787921-Reviews-Happehatchee_Center-Estero_Florida.html

About Ellen Peterson.

Ellen Peterson was a distinguished environmentalist, activist, and community leader in Southwest Florida, particularly in the Estero area. She lived there from around 1972 until her death in October 2011, at the age of 87.

She was deeply committed to safeguarding Florida’s natural ecosystems, waterways, and wildlife. She founded or helped lead several environmental organizations.:

• Agency on Bay Management,
• The Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida,
• Save Our Creeks,
• The Responsible Growth Management Coalition,
• The Everglades Committee,
• The Environmental and Peace Education Center and the Calusa Group of the Sierra Club. (her environmental affiliation)
• Save Our Creeks (which worked to protect Fisheating Creek)

She served on various environmental boards and advisory committees, focusing on growth, wetlands, water management, and peace and justice issues.

One of her well-known campaigns was the effort to keep Fisheating Creek publicly accessible and free from development or obstruction. In 1972, she acquired property along the Estero River—about 5 acres—that later became known as the Happehatchee Center.

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