German Religious Settlement Fails, But History Preserved
Guides bring history to
life in Zoar, Ohio.
Today visitors learn that failure appeared imminent in
this harsh new land for the religious settlement. A plan
was devised to assure that either all or none would suc
ceed or perish. A community of goods and efforts was de
vised whereby all individual property and future earnings
became common stock.
This is a typical Zoar kitchen with furnitue made by the
Zoars. Note the practical, sturdy lines.
A private dwelling built bv tha Zear era la still in use.
Lancaster Fai^mg
LINDA WILLIAMS
Bedford Co. Correspondent
ZOAR, Ohio In a previous
antiques article we learned of the
German settled Harmony Society
just north of Cranberry. Like the
Quakers, Mennonites, Amish,
and Harmony, still another Ger
man Separatists group settled in
Zoar, Ohio.
Having been persecuted be
cause of their belief in separation
of church and state, the Zoars
fled Wurtemberg, Germany, to
have freedom to worship as they
chose.
Guided by a vision from their
mystic spiritual leader, they set
sail for America in April 1817,
arriving at Philadelphia in Au
gust.
Aided by the Quakers, ar
rangements were made for pur
chasing S,SOO acres in the Tusca
rawas River valley in Ohio to be
paid back in 15 years.
A small band of men arrived at
their new land on October 16,
1817. By spring they had built
enough shelter to house their
families who had been left in
Philadelphia for the winter. They
named their settlement Zoar
after the Biblical town to which
Lot fled seeking refuge from
Sodom. A seven point star of
Bethlehem was chosen as their
emblem and the acom from
which the mighty oak grows was
their symbol of strength.
Failure appeared imminent in
this harsh new land. A plan was
devised to assure that either all or
none would succeed or perish. A
community of goods and efforts
was devised whereby all individu
al property and future earnings
became common stock.
On April 19, 1819, the articles
of association were signed by 53
men and 104 women establishing
“The Society of Separists of
Zoar.”
Joseph Baumeler was named
agent-general as well as the So
ciety’s spiritual and temporal
leader. Men and women pos
sessed equal political rights.
In 1827, the Society was con
tracted to dig seven miles of the
Ohio-Erie Canal which passed
through their land. Their work
was completed for $21,000 and
allowed the Society of pay off its
land debt.
During the time period of
building the canal, about five
years, the Zoars remained celi
bate. Children, aged 3 and over,
were taken to a central location
to be raised by appointed nan
nies. The idea was that women
were needed to help in building
the canal. If they were pregnant,
it became impossible to do this
difficult work.
People 60 and over were
housed in yet another building.
Those who wished to remain ac
tive could do so, others did light
er tasks for the community.
The canal essentially opened
the area for commerce, and at
one time, the Society operated as
many as four canal boats. Zoar
was almost totally self sufficient
with excesses being sold to out
siders. By the mid 1800 s, the So
ciety had accumulated assets of
more then one million dollars.
The Society began to decline
after Bautneler’s death in 1853.
By the late 1800 s, the Zoars were
no longer commercially compet
itive. This and other outside in
fluences caused the Society to
disband in 1898 with a division of
assets. Each Society member re
ceived land, house, and posses
sions.
However, the Society did
achieve its original purpose of
survival in a new land.
Today, Zoar has a 12-block
historic district, which is unique
in that it remains a living part of
the community. Peaceful side
streets invite one to browze.
Many of the buildings contain
home occupations much like
those did in the Zoarites’ era.
There are a variety of shops of
fering gift items, restaurants, bed
and breakfasts, and the visitor in
formation buildings.
The United Church of Christ
occupies the 1853-meeting house
next to an up-to-date fire depart
ment.
For an admission fee, visitors
can tour the dairy and cheese
making buildings, the Magazine
Complex where weekly supplies
and staples were distributed, the
community greenhouse and gar
dens, bakery, tin shop, wagon
shop, blacksmith shop, and sew
ing house.
In the center of the town is a
large flower garden where the
hard working Zoarites would
gather on summer evenings to
chat, play games, and worship.
The area is constructed with very
tall trees in the center sur
rounded by a maze of flower gar-
A tin making shop shows the craftmanship of the reli
gious settlement.
A guide, who is a German war bride, displays shows
some of the tin items made in the shop.
dens. The paths of the maze all
lead to the tall trees symbolizing
the paths to heaven. It is also
noted that if one strays off the
main path, he can find his way
back again.
The greenhouse, once used for
growing the town’s veggie and
flower plants is now a nursery for
area sick houseplants.
Special events throughout the
year include canal hikes, dairying
at Zoar, a Harvest Festival, and
food preservation workshop.
Zoar is located 2.5 miles east of
1-77 (exit 93) on State Route 212
in Ohio. For more information
contact Zoar Village at Box 404,
Zoar, Ohio 44697. E-mail ques
tions to HYPERLINK mail
to:kmfzoar@compurserve.com
kmfzoar@compurserve.com