Black Bear Ranch

The majority of communes either develop out of a hippie-like more secular feel or from a desire to express certain religious ideas. The second variety was called Black Bear Ranch. It was designed as "free land for free people" when it was first started in the late 1960s.

The community was founded in a long-abandoned former mining village that its residents had acquired using proceeds from an LSD transaction. It developed into something much bigger over time. Even though there are only a few dozen residents there at a given, it has been thriving for decades, proving that some people can manage despite the place's peculiar past.

As a method of support, community people turned to forestry, fighting fires and planting new trees. To stop people from unintentionally being married, they created rules and employed peyote in rituals. Over two consecutive nights, no one was permitted to share a bed with the same person. Even a sign-up sheet was provided so residents could indicate who they had slept with. This caused a VD outbreak. Due to a hepatitis outbreak, they once had to prohibit people from sitting at kitchen counters. Even though they appear to have improved the way things are run, the commune is still there today.

• Country: USA