Utopian Communities of Illinois: Heaven on the Prairie

by Arcadia Publishing

Overview

The Prairie State became a crucial testing ground for the grand American thought experiment on how a society should be constructed. Between 1839 and 1901, six different utopian communities chose Illinois as the laboratory and sanctuary to elevate their ideals into reality. The Mormons and the Icarians selected Nauvoo. The Janssonists picked Bishop Hill. The Fourierists settled on the north edge of Loami. The employees of the Pullman Railroad Car Company naturally resided in Pullman, and the Dowietes put down roots in Zion. Three were religious and the others secular. All possessed charismatic leaders and dramatic stories that drew attention from across the globe. Randy Soland examines the relationship between these havens and their legacies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467137225
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	07/24/2017
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Randall J. Soland was raised in Nauvoo, Illinois. His love of history was fostered by his father, Robert D. Soland, and an elementary school teacher, David Fortado. Mr. Soland is employed as a full-time private practice counselor in Springfield, Illinois. He has bachelor of science degrees in history and psychology and secondary education from Western Illinois University. He has multiple graduate degrees, including a master of arts degree in history from Illinois State University.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Utopias and Communes 9

1 Joseph Smith and the Mormons at Nauvoo, 1839-1846 13

2 Etienne Cabet and the Icarians at Nauvoo, 1849-1860 57

3 Eric Jansson and the Janssonists at Bishop Hill, 1846-1862 67

4 Comparisons of Smith, Cabet and Jansson 83

5 Theophilus Sweet and the Fourierists at Loami, 1845-1848 85

6 George Pullman and His Employees at Pullman, 1881-1899 99

7 John Dowie and the Dowietes at Zion, 1901-1942 113

8 Comparisons of the Six Communities 123

Conclusion 127

Notes 131

Bibliography 135

Index 139

About the Author 143