Voree, Wisconsin

A map of old Voree, engraved on a monument at the townsite.

Voree (pronounced "Vor-ee") is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States, in the town limits of Spring Prairie.^[1][2][3] It is best known as the historic and current headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), a denomination of the Latter Day Saint (Mormon) movement. According to James Strang, founder of the Strangite church and of the town, the name means "Garden of Peace."^[4] The community is situated along former Wisconsin Highway 11 just west of the Racine County line.

Strangite settlement

Strangite church building in Voree (2005) 42°40′57″N 88°18′21″W / 42.682414°N 88.305882°W / 42.682414; -88.305882

Although the Voree area was inhabited by Native Americans prior to the arrival of the first Caucasians, the most notable part of its history begins in 1844, after the death of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. James J. Strang, who had declared himself Smith's successor, established Voree as a "gathering place" for those Latter Day Saints who chose to follow his leadership rather than that of Brigham Young or other claimnants. Strang's followers moved from Nauvoo, Illinois and other places to Voree. Young's followers relocated to the Salt Lake Valley in what would ultimately become the Utah Territory, where they established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is now the largest "Mormon" denomination. Strang's and Young's organizations each claim to be the sole legal continuance of Joseph Smith's church, and each rejects all claims to legitimacy of the other.

The "Strangite" church established a quarry and built many fine stone houses, several of which survive. Their community included a blacksmith shop, tavern, school and a tithing house. The church excavated a foundation for their intended temple, but were unable to finish it due to poverty and internal dissent. They also published the Voree Herald and Zion's Reveille in the town. Tombstone carving, plough manufacturing, and the raising of English Fox Terriers were some of Voree's business enterprises.^[5]

A small hill in Voree, known as the "Hill of Promise", became noteworthy as the location where James Strang allegedly unearthed the Voree Plates. These three small metal plates, purportedly containing the ancient record of "Rajah Manchou of Vorito" (alleged to be an ancient inhabitant of the area), became a scripture of Strang's church and is still accepted by his followers today. Baptisms for the Dead were performed in the White River, which flowed through the settlement. These have not been conducted since Strang's lifetime due to a lack of prophetic leadership, though the Strangites still believe in the validity of this doctrine, as do members of the LDS and certain other Mormon factions.

Relocation to Beaver Island

Because land prices in the Voree area were high, it was difficult for church members to "gather" to the settlement and purchase farmlands. Additional trouble ensued when a group of Strangite leaders, led by Aaron Smith, rejected Strang and formed a schismatic group in Voree. For these and other reasons, Strang relocated his church headquarters to Beaver Island by 1850. Most of his members followed him, though a small minority elected to remain in Voree. Opposition in Beaver Island ultimately led to the fatal wounding of Strang in June 1856; he returned to Voree, where he died weeks after the shooting. His followers were forcibly expelled from the island, and most abandoned his church entirely. A loyal remnant remained, however, with many of them choosing to return to Voree and nearby areas. The Strangite church still considers Voree to be a "gathering place" for its members.

Voree today

The diminutive Strangite organization continues to maintain a presence in Voree to this day. Two different factions maintain meetinghouses there; at least one has a congregation that meets there regularly. There are also two Internet-based groups of Strangites at Independence, Missouri and Shreveport, Louisiana. The historical society at nearby Burlington has erected a monument at Voree to commemorate the Strangite settlement there.

References

External links

• Photo Tour of Voree Contains several photos of Voree, from different historical periods
• "Mormons in Wisconsin" Article on Latter Day Saint settlements in Wisconsin, including Voree
• Burlington Historical Society Website of the historical society for nearby Burlington, Wisconsin
• The Voree Temple Article on the never-built Voree Temple, includes conceptual drawings and photos of the area
• Burlington, Wisconsin and the "Veiled City of Voree," by Mary Sutherland

v t e Municipalities and communities of Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States County seat: Elkhorn Cities Burlington‡ Delavan Elkhorn Lake Geneva Whitewater‡ Villages Bloomfield Darien East Troy Fontana-on-Geneva Lake Genoa City‡ Mukwonago‡ Sharon Walworth Williams Bay Towns Bloomfield Darien Delavan East Troy Geneva La Grange Lafayette Linn Lyons Richmond Sharon Spring Prairie Sugar Creek Troy Walworth Whitewater CDPs Como Delavan Lake Lake Ivanhoe Lake Lorraine Lauderdale Lakes Potter Lake Springfield Turtle Lake Unincorporated communities Abells Corners Adams Allen's Grove Bardwell Big Foot Prairie‡ Bowers East Delavan Fairfield‡ Heart Prairie Hilburn Honey Creek Inlet La Grange Lake Beulah Lake Como Lake Lawn Lauderdale Lauderdale Shores Linton Little Prairie Lyons Millard North Bloomfield Richmond Spring Prairie Tibbets Troy Troy Center Voree Zenda Ghost towns Army Lake Mayhews Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties