Drop City

Drop City, founded in 1965 in southern Colorado near Trinidad, is often celebrated as the first rural commune of the 1960s American counterculture.

Drop City, founded in 1965 in southern Colorado near Trinidad, is often celebrated as the first rural commune of the 1960s American counterculture, embodying the principles of communal living, creativity, and sustainable practices that became hallmarks of the hippie movement. Its inception and evolution offer a fascinating glimpse into the experimental and utopian impulses of the era.

Foundation and Ideals

Drop City was established by art students Gene Bernofsky ("Curly"), JoAnn Bernofsky, and Richard Kallweit, who were joined by architect Clark Richert. These founders, influenced by the works of Buckminster Fuller and the Dada movement, sought to create a community that fused artistic expression with daily living. They were inspired by the concept of "dropping out" of mainstream society, as popularized by Timothy Leary, and aimed to establish a new way of life that was free from the constraints of conventional consumerism and hierarchical social structures.

The name "Drop City" itself reflected their vision: it was derived from their art events, called "drops," in which they would drop painted rocks from city buildings, blending performance art with an anarchic spirit of playfulness and spontaneity.

Architectural Innovation

One of the most distinctive features of Drop City was its architecture. The commune became famous for its geodesic domes and zonohedra, constructed from salvaged materials, including car roofs from junkyards. These structures were not only economical but also reflected the community's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. The domes, based on designs by Buckminster Fuller, symbolized a futuristic and utopian vision of living in harmony with the environment. Fuller himself awarded Drop City his Dymaxion Award for their innovative architectural practices.

Life in Drop City

The early days of Drop City were marked by a spirit of creativity, freedom, and communal sharing. The residents engaged in collective art projects, music, and film-making, and the community operated on principles of shared work and resources. However, as with many communes of the time, Drop City faced challenges. The influx of visitors and new residents, attracted by the commune's growing fame, put a strain on resources and the community's cohesion. Over time, the original artistic and utopian goals became harder to maintain amidst practical challenges.

Legacy and Influence

By the early 1970s, the original founders had left, and the community gradually disbanded. Despite its relatively short existence, Drop City had a lasting impact on the counterculture movement and communal living experiments that followed. It is often cited as an important precursor to later eco-villages and sustainable living movements, emphasizing creativity, environmentalism, and alternative social structures.

The legacy of Drop City also lives on in the realm of art and architecture, celebrated for its pioneering use of recycled materials and its DIY ethos. The commune has been the subject of documentaries, books, and academic studies, serving as a symbol of the 1960s counterculture's blend of artistic experimentation and communal utopianism.

In summary, Drop City stands as a landmark in the history of American communes, emblematic of a time when young people sought to radically reshape society through creativity, shared living, and an ethos of peace and sustainability. Its brief existence belies the significant influence it had on subsequent generations exploring alternative lifestyles and sustainable living practices.