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We took a trip to the western tip of the Everglades. At the cusp of a barrier island, this quaintly remote and rustic town exuding vibes reminiscent of the Victorian Era had me wondering what my life would be if I only relied on candlelight. It's a few bucks to come in but it's worth the "cover charge" at the door. Spread amongst glass countertops and throughout everything crevice of this wooden wonder are quirky items showcasing a lifestyle only history has taught us; this spot demonstrates it. It's quite impressive to see their collection of artifacts in display because it truly transports you to an unimaginable life concurrent with today's standards yet somehow closely attainable if you close your eyes and envision it. The breeze coming through from the waterfront barn doors offer not only ventilation, but an admiration for the authenticity of old rustic Florida. The Everglades is the last remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America. This slice of historical importance laid the foundation for awareness of our culturally diverse ecosystem that only Florida could naturally demonstrate. Florida for ever.
This is an interesting little museum which preserves an old Indian trading post located at the end of a small island called Chokoloskee. They have a lot of antique items set up as the trading post, general store and post office. There is a $5.00 entry charge which goes to the non-profit which maintains the store. Kids under 12 are free. If you are into checking out little "side road attraction" type places, this is worth a visit.
My husband read all about the interesting history of Chokoloskee before we visited this historic little museum & store. Neat treasures to be found here!
The Smallwood Store is a historic trading post in Everglades City. It was opened in 1906 when Ted Smallwood set up shop on a Calusa Indian shell mound. He traded goods with the native people and operated a post office. The store served as a meeting place for the people in the area. In 1974 the store was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It remained in operation until 1982 when it was sealed with all of the items inside. In 1990 Ted Smallwood's granddaughter reopened the store as a museum. It costs $5 to explore the store. Ted Smallwood's great granddaughter was the person who took my money. A visit here is liking stepping into the year 1920. It's a time capsule containing animal pelts, medicines, clothes, Seminole crafts, kitchen items, items from the Chokoloskee School, books, and newspapers. The wooden counters slant in to allow room for the hoop skirts women of the time wore. A popular display in the store features Bloody Ed Watson (1855-1910). Watson was an outlaw who moved to Chokoloskee and got into some arguments with people who later ended up injured and dead. When he set up his sugar cane syrup business locals believed he killed the African Americans and Native Americans working for him rather than pay them. He soon accumulated a group of unsavory characters who lived with him. The town finally had enough of Watson and met him at the Smallwood Store one day and killed him. None of the residents were ever prosecuted for the crime. In addition to the store items you can also see the Smallwood families bedroom. Everything looks exactly like when Ted Smallwood ran the store. There is even a life size statue of him still presiding over his business. The store is cluttered and dusty but that is part of the charm. They have a small gift shop that sells T shirts, Seminole bead necklaces, and interesting books on the history in the area. In 2011 the Smallwood store was in danger of closing when an adjacent property to the store was purchased. Developers closed Maime St, the only road leading to the store and named after Ted Smallwoods wife. No one could reach the store forcing the Smallwood family to go to court with the support of the community. Eventually they triumphed and you can reach the store once again. Supporting this store helps a family with pioneer roots keep a piece of Florida history open. The store was badly damaged in hurricane Irma and in order to survive another 100 years the building requires repairs which requires donations. Besides the store the family operates a boat tour behind the building. If you are in the area this is a wonderful place to stop and see Florida as it was when the only way to get to Everglades City was by boat and you could find the Seminoles on the front porch looking to trade hides.
Definitely, visit Smallwood on Chokoloskee Island when in the Marco/Naples area and visiting Everglade City, a small and very neat town with a few places to stay and eat. We stopped at the Visitor's Center for directions to this historic trading post. The building is easy to find. It's old, and stopped in time, closing its doors in '82. Many years later the granddaughter reopened the store to tourists. You walk in finding a dusty general store with anything you would need to live in the area or on the water a century or so ago. Visitors in the late 1800s included plume, hide and fur hunters. Another room has souvenirs for tourists to buy. You can spend an hour just looking at the artifacts, photographs, learning about the Calusa Indians and viewing a PBS video about the island. The public bathroom is a port-a-potty that is so clean it looks new. The store pays that company to keep it clean. Smallwood Store was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1974. Boat tours of the 10,000 islands can also be arranged here.
When you see the signs for Smallwood's store from I95 you figure you're in the middle of nowhere and there's a quaint general store out here. So you pull off the highway and hey, guess what? The store is about 26 miles from the exit! And there's nothing to see for those 26 miles...other than a couple of restaurants and stores, some of which looked like they might be open. You drive to the end of a road where a big red barn-looking building is situated next to the bay, with a good size tree-lined parking lot in front of the flight of stairs leading to the store's entrance. There's no elevator so if you can't do stairs, don't turn off the highway. The interior of the store is more of a museum - hence the $5 admission fee - no kidding. There are a few modern tourist souvenir/knick knacks in the second room but this store is more about viewing than buying. Looking out the back window of the store, you can imagine how boats came to shore - since the building is right on the bay's edge. You can imagine how that helped bring items to the store. What I found really interesting: The store sold ready-made clothes for men...and fabric and buttons for women to sew their clothes and their kids' clothes. The girl behind the counter (a relative of the original owner) said only men's clothes were sold here because they had to work. I guess kids going to school in the buff wasn't a primary concern. And what could you say to a women who says she can't go out because she has nothing to wear?!!! And the wood counter is on an angle - the counter is close to your hips but as you look down your legs, the counter angles away from your body until there's a couple of feet of floor between your feet and the counter base. This was a modesty counter - women would fill the empty space with their skirt fabric. Hey, it may sound bizarre but do you know what they call the front panel of desks that prevent you from seeing the person's legs? A modesty panel. For as far as we've come, we still design furniture with modesty in mind! I was impressed how the store became a conduit that encouraged good working relationships between native Americans and Caucasians. The store showcases blankets, pics and other Native American memorabilia. You can see how their community grew as families melded. There are many tools and artifacts from Old Florida. There are boxes of candies sold in the 1960's. There's a working desk in the middle of the floor, that on the day we visited had a man busily working as customers milled about. The wood floors and walls are genuine and you feel that you're stepping back in time...then you go down the flight of stairs, back to your car shaded by the tall trees and drive 26 miles back to the highway. I'm glad I stopped here but it's a one-and-done type of experience.
There were lots of signs along our right advertising the Smallwood Store. The Store evidently is an important piece of Florida's heritage. At least that's what the signs indicated. Thus, we followed the signs to Chokoloskee. First of all we had trouble parking. There isn't a lot of room but we were curious as to what this place really was. It's a museum of sorts. We were quite disappointed but that was our fault because we didn't do our research. Admission is $5.00 per person to enter the building. We walked around and didn't go inside. There just didn't seem to be enough there to catch our interest.
I stumbled upon this as I explored and scouted Chokoloskee Island and nearby Everglades City for places to launch a kayak and am grateful I found it. If you are even the slightest interested in life in the Everglades before the National Parks took over, this place is a step back in time. I easily spent an hour perusing and taking in all the displays, information, videos and antiques. This is a photographers playground and you can really imagine what it was like to live here 50 years and longer ago. Well worth the $5 admission fee, there are souvenirs, books and stuff for sale as well as the displays. I will be back again and again!
1 year ago
Tony and I went to Chokoloskee Island to the Historical Smallwood Store! It's now a museum adults only $5. The water has a brackish reddish brown tint from the Red Mangrove. It also has a sulphury smell! It's very pretty down here! We also stopped in Everglade City FL. read more
I've seen the signs on Alligator Alley many times so I finally decided to stop. Smallwoods is an old Florida store and museum. It is an old Indian trading post with original fixtures and a huge amount of items from books, newspapers, sewing goods, dishes and everything else imaginable. There is a great water view out the back door of the store. It is built up on stilts. There is a $5 entry. The store sells all sorts of souvenirs. We spent under an hour browsing the museum. read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
We took a trip to the western tip of the Everglades. At the cusp of a barrier island, this quaintly remote and rustic town exuding vibes reminiscent of the Victorian Era had me wondering what my life would be if I only relied on candlelight. It's a few bucks to come in but it's worth the "cover charge" at the door. Spread amongst glass countertops and throughout everything crevice of this wooden wonder are quirky items showcasing a lifestyle only history has taught us; this spot demonstrates it. It's quite impressive to see their collection of artifacts in display because it truly transports you to an unimaginable life concurrent with today's standards yet somehow closely attainable if you close your eyes and envision it. The breeze coming through from the waterfront barn doors offer not only ventilation, but an admiration for the authenticity of old rustic Florida. The Everglades is the last remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America. This slice of historical importance laid the foundation for awareness of our culturally diverse ecosystem that only Florida could naturally demonstrate. Florida for ever. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
This is an interesting little museum which preserves an old Indian trading post located at the end of a small island called Chokoloskee. They have a lot of antique items set up as the trading post, general store and post office. There is a $5.00 entry charge which goes to the non-profit which maintains the store. Kids under 12 are free. If you are into checking out little "side road attraction" type places, this is worth a visit. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
My husband read all about the interesting history of Chokoloskee before we visited this historic little museum & store. Neat treasures to be found here! read more
The Smallwood Store is a historic trading post in Everglades City. It was opened in 1906 when Ted Smallwood set up shop on a Calusa Indian shell mound. He traded goods with the native people and operated a post office. The store served as a meeting place for the people in the area. In 1974 the store was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It remained in operation until 1982 when it was sealed with all of the items inside. In 1990 Ted Smallwood's granddaughter reopened the store as a museum. It costs $5 to explore the store. Ted Smallwood's great granddaughter was the person who took my money. A visit here is liking stepping into the year 1920. It's a time capsule containing animal pelts, medicines, clothes, Seminole crafts, kitchen items, items from the Chokoloskee School, books, and newspapers. The wooden counters slant in to allow room for the hoop skirts women of the time wore. A popular display in the store features Bloody Ed Watson (1855-1910). Watson was an outlaw who moved to Chokoloskee and got into some arguments with people who later ended up injured and dead. When he set up his sugar cane syrup business locals believed he killed the African Americans and Native Americans working for him rather than pay them. He soon accumulated a group of unsavory characters who lived with him. The town finally had enough of Watson and met him at the Smallwood Store one day and killed him. None of the residents were ever prosecuted for the crime. In addition to the store items you can also see the Smallwood families bedroom. Everything looks exactly like when Ted Smallwood ran the store. There is even a life size statue of him still presiding over his business. The store is cluttered and dusty but that is part of the charm. They have a small gift shop that sells T shirts, Seminole bead necklaces, and interesting books on the history in the area. In 2011 the Smallwood store was in danger of closing when an adjacent property to the store was purchased. Developers closed Maime St, the only road leading to the store and named after Ted Smallwoods wife. No one could reach the store forcing the Smallwood family to go to court with the support of the community. Eventually they triumphed and you can reach the store once again. Supporting this store helps a family with pioneer roots keep a piece of Florida history open. The store was badly damaged in hurricane Irma and in order to survive another 100 years the building requires repairs which requires donations. Besides the store the family operates a boat tour behind the building. If you are in the area this is a wonderful place to stop and see Florida as it was when the only way to get to Everglades City was by boat and you could find the Seminoles on the front porch looking to trade hides. read more
Definitely, visit Smallwood on Chokoloskee Island when in the Marco/Naples area and visiting Everglade City, a small and very neat town with a few places to stay and eat. We stopped at the Visitor's Center for directions to this historic trading post. The building is easy to find. It's old, and stopped in time, closing its doors in '82. Many years later the granddaughter reopened the store to tourists. You walk in finding a dusty general store with anything you would need to live in the area or on the water a century or so ago. Visitors in the late 1800s included plume, hide and fur hunters. Another room has souvenirs for tourists to buy. You can spend an hour just looking at the artifacts, photographs, learning about the Calusa Indians and viewing a PBS video about the island. The public bathroom is a port-a-potty that is so clean it looks new. The store pays that company to keep it clean. Smallwood Store was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1974. Boat tours of the 10,000 islands can also be arranged here. read more
When you see the signs for Smallwood's store from I95 you figure you're in the middle of nowhere and there's a quaint general store out here. So you pull off the highway and hey, guess what? The store is about 26 miles from the exit! And there's nothing to see for those 26 miles...other than a couple of restaurants and stores, some of which looked like they might be open. You drive to the end of a road where a big red barn-looking building is situated next to the bay, with a good size tree-lined parking lot in front of the flight of stairs leading to the store's entrance. There's no elevator so if you can't do stairs, don't turn off the highway. The interior of the store is more of a museum - hence the $5 admission fee - no kidding. There are a few modern tourist souvenir/knick knacks in the second room but this store is more about viewing than buying. Looking out the back window of the store, you can imagine how boats came to shore - since the building is right on the bay's edge. You can imagine how that helped bring items to the store. What I found really interesting: The store sold ready-made clothes for men...and fabric and buttons for women to sew their clothes and their kids' clothes. The girl behind the counter (a relative of the original owner) said only men's clothes were sold here because they had to work. I guess kids going to school in the buff wasn't a primary concern. And what could you say to a women who says she can't go out because she has nothing to wear?!!! And the wood counter is on an angle - the counter is close to your hips but as you look down your legs, the counter angles away from your body until there's a couple of feet of floor between your feet and the counter base. This was a modesty counter - women would fill the empty space with their skirt fabric. Hey, it may sound bizarre but do you know what they call the front panel of desks that prevent you from seeing the person's legs? A modesty panel. For as far as we've come, we still design furniture with modesty in mind! I was impressed how the store became a conduit that encouraged good working relationships between native Americans and Caucasians. The store showcases blankets, pics and other Native American memorabilia. You can see how their community grew as families melded. There are many tools and artifacts from Old Florida. There are boxes of candies sold in the 1960's. There's a working desk in the middle of the floor, that on the day we visited had a man busily working as customers milled about. The wood floors and walls are genuine and you feel that you're stepping back in time...then you go down the flight of stairs, back to your car shaded by the tall trees and drive 26 miles back to the highway. I'm glad I stopped here but it's a one-and-done type of experience. read more
There were lots of signs along our right advertising the Smallwood Store. The Store evidently is an important piece of Florida's heritage. At least that's what the signs indicated. Thus, we followed the signs to Chokoloskee. First of all we had trouble parking. There isn't a lot of room but we were curious as to what this place really was. It's a museum of sorts. We were quite disappointed but that was our fault because we didn't do our research. Admission is $5.00 per person to enter the building. We walked around and didn't go inside. There just didn't seem to be enough there to catch our interest. read more
8 years ago
I stumbled upon this as I explored and scouted Chokoloskee Island and nearby Everglades City for places to launch a kayak and am grateful I found it. If you are even the slightest interested in life in the Everglades before the National Parks took over, this place is a step back in time. I easily spent an hour perusing and taking in all the displays, information, videos and antiques. This is a photographers playground and you can really imagine what it was like to live here 50 years and longer ago. Well worth the $5 admission fee, there are souvenirs, books and stuff for sale as well as the displays. I will be back again and again! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
We visit the Smallwood Store at least once a year. Why do we go in the summer when equatorial heat pounds you down and mosquitoes swarm? Because we are trying to avoid "the tourists". If you are visiting from the northern climes, this is a great place to visit. The store displays many items from days gone by, days gone way by. To those of us who live around here, this is the Place to see where Mr Watson was gunned down, a place to remember a horrible hurricane in 1910, one of the deadliest hurricanes ever in the US. We know the story of how many folks survived by lashing themselves to trees on a Caloosa shell mound. Any of us who have been through a significant hurricane can empathize with these folks. And so, that is why we make an annual pilgrimage to Chokoloskee. read more
5 years ago
We stumbled upon this place by randomly driving around Everglades City after a fantastic lunch at Camellia Street Grill. Follow the sign down a partly unpaved road to the end. Initially it looks like a cool spot to get a quick photo and that's it. Initially saw the $3 admission fee and thought "nah!" but did a quick walk upstairs to peek in and got sucked in. Even went back outside twice for my wallet and camera, I was so impressed. This place has almost shut down a few times and most recently was bought and reopened just last month! The history of this place and the location itself are simply amazing. A number of people have very obviously put a lot of quality time and effort into arranging things with authenticity, to resemble the original general store/trading post and living quarters of earlier times. There are numerous displays with historically accurate intrepretations/explanations, as well as a DVD of interviews playing in one corner of the store. The souvenirs are actually decent and not too over-priced. They do a nice job of having quite a few Florida authors (both fiction and non-fiction) on display and even have some of the authors there on hand to chat and sign books, and then they continue working in the background. The folks working there are very friendly and interested in learning and sharing what they've learned about everything from early archeological finds of indigenous peoples to early European settlers to more recent times. read more
4 years ago
On the western edge of the Everglades and deep in the heart of the 10,000 Islands, Chokoloskee Island has been called one of Florida's last frontiers. At the Historic Smallwood Store you will learn the story of the pioneers and settlers who tamed this vast wilderness. Human habitation of Chokoloskee Island began approximately 2,000 years ago when a mound building people began altering the landscape with mounds and canals. Subsequent influxes of Native Americans expanded the mounds and fished, hunted and farmed the rich fertile soil. Moving south from conflict in North Florida and Georgia, the Seminole Indians were the last native peoples to make the Everglades their home. White settlement in Chokoloskee Bay began near the end of the nineteenth century. Plume, hide, and fur hunters were the first to visit. They were quickly followed by families who combined seasonal hunting, fishing, and farming to make a living like their native predecessors. Settlement brought a need for goods and mail and that need was met by the Smallwood Store. Established in 1906by Ted Smallwood, this Trading Post served a remote area, buying hides, furs and farm produce and providing the goods required. Ted Smallwood's store was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It remained open and active until 1982. When the doors were shut, 90% of the original goods remained in the store. In the last few years Ted's granddaughter has reopened the store as a museum, and today it serves as a time capsule of Florida pioneer history. The center section of the building remains as Ted would have known it. The hide room has been turned into exhibit space, telling the history of the pioneers of southwest Florida. read more
Smallwood Trading Post is a gem of history in the Everglades. The land bridge to this island (Chokolooskee) was built in 1955. Before that the Native Americans and locals came to this store by boat and traded furs and alligators and fish for supplies needed as they lived on the remote islands here. There are an amazing amount of historic displays and artifacts inside. The people that work here have an amazing amount of history to share. If you get anywhere near this area it is well worth the time to explore and experience. Great spot for sunsets also. (there are some great places to eat within a couple of miles also). (I have added a number of photos I took here) read more
11 years ago
5 years ago
11 years ago
This place is the essence of Florida backcountry. It's preserved to about 95% to its original state. Walking in is like stepping back in time. If history is your thing this is little nook is the place to go. Not to mention where it's located, Chokoloskee , which was cutoff from the mainland until 1955 when they built a road to it. read more
12 years ago
We followed the reviews from yelp regarding the small museum and we're delighted to find the museum and boat trip the highlight of our week. The museum was fascinating as they had so many things from the olden days from the general store and a great story about the outer life and the Indians that were part of the original area. For the cruise, the captain made a special effort to ensure that we saw wildlife, dolphins and spent time to talk about his Island home. It was truly a beautiful and exciting day with the private boat tour is really very special. read more
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