ABSTRACT
During the 1840s new immigrant groups reached the shores of the United States with the intention of establishing communitarian units in the New World. The Icarians were especially keen to reconstruct the deserted Mormon temple and to turn it into a public building that would serve the new commune spiritually and materially. The economic situation deteriorated further, but contrary to expectations no ideological revision followed the unreasonable steps of the aged leader; in spite of the struggle and schism the Nauvoo commune members regarded themselves as loyal Icarians. When Icaria split up in 1879 the majority moved to the northeastern end of their land and established New Icaria. Local conditions in Iowa were unsuitable for immediate occupation, and the Icarians continued their economic activities in Nauvoo. The limitations of economic development in Nauvoo prompted the commune to speed up the transfer to their lands in Iowa, where a group of 18 members were clearing the land.
