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"Utopia:
an ideal commonwealth whose inhabitants exist under seemingly
perfect conditions. Hence "utopian" and "utopianism" are
words used to denote visionary reform that tends to be
impossibly idealistic." -encyclopedia
Britannica, 1997 |
Just
who were the Icarian’s anyway!?! Icarians were followers
of the philosophy, teaching and writings of Etienne Cabet. Cabet,
born in 1788 in Dijon, France, was a journalist, lawyer, and teacher. Cabet's
novel Voyage En Icarie described a social organization proposed
to bring peace and equality. Cabet and the Icarians were forced
to leave France because of their political beliefs.
After
leaving France the Icarians, attempted to establish a commune
in Nauvoo, Illinois. From there they branched out to
other places, including our Sonoma County! One of the Icarians
beliefs was that all property must be held communally.
The
Icaria-Speranza Icarians set up their own commune just south
of Cloverdale. They lived there from 1881 to 1886. The
people in this Icarian colony set up what they considered
their utopia. Today there is a historical marker just south
of town marking where their schoolhouse was.
1. Icaria
School (one room) 1913
Picture from: Lois McMichael
back row, left to right: Cliff Newman, Lois McMichael, Bill Kothassner, Tino
Granucei, Susan (Suzie) Grasso.
2nd Row from Top: Isabelle Zurcher, Elsie Ferrari, Angi Granncci, Theresa Ferrari,
Ray Radtkey, Miniie Kothgassner, Otto Kothgassner, Albina Granucci.
3rd Row from top: Ed Kothgassner, Ralph Puccirellis, Art Beasley, Taro Chiaroni
4th row from top: Ella Beasley? , Lois Ricct, Mary Ricci, Mary Paccineli, Jennie
DeMarantonio, Josephine Puccinelli, Mary____ Lyle DeHay.
5th Row from top: Earl Beasley, Harold Hiatt, Dave Ferrari,3 Zurcher boys,
Harry Granucci, Joe Bonicini, Art Ferrari, Raymond Grasso
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