Believing in the separation of Church and State, some Germans were persecuted because they did not wish to follow Germany's official state religion. Fleeing their homeland for America, the "Separatists” arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1817.
Their leader, Herr Bimeler purchased 5000 parcels of land surrounding the Tuscarawas River in Ohio for $3 an acre on credit, and by 1818, the men had built homes, allowing their families to join them.
The Panic of 1819
But The Panic of 1819, caused partly by Americans speculating in western lands on credit, forced the group to combine their government and religion.
Equal Rights for Women
Each adult was given a vote and 53 men and 104 women signed the document turning over all their possessions to be converted into common stock of “The Society of the Separatists of Zoar.” Hence, women were given the right to vote in this new government 100 years before the rest of America.
The name, Zoar, was chosen from the Bible for their closed community. Herr Bimeler became their Agent General and spiritual leader.
Evidence of Their Religious Belief
A large garden was planted in the center of their community and in the center of it grew a strong, straight tree representing Christ. A small hedge surrounding the tree was heaven and beyond that twelve trees, one for each apostle. Known as a place to reflect and relax, the adjacent flower garden was known for its beauty.
The Burden of Debt
In debt for their farmland with payment due in 1830, the Society won the contract to build 14 miles of the Ohio-Erie Canal by hand. All able-bodied adults were needed to dig, and with a ratio of three women for every man in the village, they voted to place their children in dormitories to be raised by the elderly unable to work on the project.
The "Separatists" remained celibate for the seven years it took to complete the canal and in 1828, they used their nearly $23,000 in payment to settle their debt.
Financially Good Times
The canal opened up their closed community to the outside world. Passengers on the canal boats could stay in Zoar and enjoy the garden. The waterway also provided a means of distribution for their excess goods. Hence, by the mid-1800’s, the Society had amassed over a million dollars.
Slow Economic Decline
But, the loss of their leader, Bimeler, in 1853, was felt as business declined and the Society was unable to be remain self-sufficient. The communal way of life continued until 1898, when they voted to disband. Land, homes and goods were doled out as fairly as possible and excess farming equipment and livestock sold at auction.
Tourism Now Preserves History
The Ohio Historical Society (OHS) owns ten museums in Zoar providing one of the most comprehensive views of life in the 1800’s. Due to financial cutbacks, the OHS turned over management of the historical site to The Zoar Community Organization in early 2010 and two new buildings have been added to the tour.
Zoar is located 12 miles south of Canton and 73 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio on Interstate 77 and 3 miles east off exit 93 on state route 212. The beautiful, well-maintained garden and historical demonstrations of this unusual 19th century lifestyle are worth the visit.
Candice Kramer - As a content creator, Candee has investigated various forms of writing resulting in two feature length scripts. One, a comedy, placed in ...
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