La Réunion was a socialist utopian community formed in 1855 by French, Belgian, and Swiss colonists approximately three miles west of Reunion Tower (the building that looks like a Q-Tip) in downtown Dallas and near the forks of the Trinity River. The founders were inspired by the utopian thought of the French philosopher Francois Marie Charles Fourier.
La Reunion intended to become a socialist Utopian commune for production and distribution for communal profit. Unlike other communist systems, both men and women could vote and individuals could own private property.
La Reunion was founded in 1855 by Victor Considerant. La Reunion's ranks included tailors, shoemakers, milliners, jewelers, watchmakers, weavers, vintners, brew masters, and storekeepers. The colony even included naturalists, philosophers, musicians, dance masters, and poets. There were chefs, butchers, candle and soap makers, but no farmers and stockmen. Nor did they have strong leadership - Considerant was much more a social experimenter than a taskmaster, administrator, or leader of men. Unfortunately the watchmaking, weaving, brewing and storekeeping qualifications of the new colonists were ill-suited to the establishment of a colony, because they lacked the ability to provide food for themselves.
Although the colonists did manage to grow wheat and vegetables the amount produced was not sufficient, although their biggest handicap was the uncooperative weather of Texas. La Reunion ultimately did not survive. Although some of the settlers returned to Europe many moved into Dallas and created a rich source of skilled artisans and craftsmen during Dallas' formative years.
I live in this area of the city! It's called Oak Cliff now.
1 comment:
That's so cool! I feel smarter now!
Thanks!
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