EL JOBEAN POST OFFICE
AND GENERAL STORE

By  Mike Miller May 3, 2025

The El Jobean Post Office and General Store is a historic landmark in El Jobean, Florida. Built in 1923, it combines a post office and general store.

It stands as a snapshot of early 20th-century Florida life. Visitors explore its preserved structure and local history.  

El Jobean Post Office and General Store

Joel Bean, a property developer, founded El Jobean in the 1920s. The town’s name is an anagram of his name.

The post office and store opened in 1923 to serve the growing community. It supported fishermen, tourists, and circus performers who wintered nearby.

Hurricanes in 1926 and 1928, plus the Great Depression, halted development. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Its restoration keeps its original look intact. The store once sold daily goods, while the post office handled mail for locals. It reflects Florida’s land boom era. 

The El Jobean Post Office and General Store is at 4370 Garden Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33953. It’s near State Road 776 and the Myakka River.

The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Check hours before visiting, as they may change. Call 941-625-5548 for current information. Parking is available on-site.

Visitors should wear comfortable shoes for exploring. Photography is allowed, but respect any posted rules.

The nearby Bean Depot Café and Museum offers more local history. Combine visits for a full experience. 

• The post office operated from 1924 to 1964.  

• Its mail slots and counter remain as they were.  

• The store once stocked vintage goods like 1920s canned foods.  

• Circus performer Leo “Suicide” Simon, known as the "Human Firecracker", was a frequent visitor.  

• The building’s wood frame survived decades of storms. It’s one of few remaining structures from El Jobean’s early days.  

• Local lore says fishermen traded stories here daily.  

• The site’s restoration used original materials when possible.  

• It’s part of the El Jobean Local Historic District, established in 2000.  

• Visitors often find hidden artifacts in the museum nearby.