HARTLEY'S STORE
Historic Landmark on State Road 13 in Switzerland, Florida

By  Mike Miller October 31, 2025

Hartley's Store is a historic general store in Switzerland, Florida, directly on State Road 13. Known as Hartley's Store, it served as a vital community hub for decades, embodying the rural charm of Old Florida.

Switzerland is an unincorporated community south of Jacksonville.

Hartley's Store

History and Current Status of Hartley's Store

The first general store in the Switzerland area dates back to the 1800s and was established by William Steele. That original structure burned down, but the site continued to host stores over the coming years.

The current building was constructed around 1930 by Robert and Julia Brooker.  The building functioned as a general store selling everyday staples like meat, cheese, Coke, bubble gum, cigarettes, and even gasoline for a time.

Leonard and Evelyn Hartley took ownership and operated it as Hartley's Store for several decades, turning it into a social gathering spot where locals swapped stories on the porch.

As a classic Southern country store, it was central to local commerce, politics, and daily life in this rural stretch of northwest St. Johns County, along the east bank of the St. Johns River

New Switzerland Marker

You will see the store on the west side of the road while driving along SR 13.  This scenic route has been one of my favorite drives since moving to Florida in 1960.

The road has been designated as the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway. The store's location is in the quiet riverside community of Switzerland. 

A Personal Memory of Hartley's Store

I graduated in 1966 from the University of Florida with a civil engineering degree.  My first job was with Buffalo Tank Division of Bethlehem Steel Corporation on Highway Avenue in Jacksonville.

My first boss at Buffalo was Tex Dvoroznak.  He had moved to Florida from Texas years before and married a gal from a pioneer family in the Switzerland area. 

Tex's favorite pastime was sitting on the porch of Hartley's Store and shooting the breeze with the old timers who gathered there.  I joined Tex a couple of times and had a great time listening to stories of the early days in this part of Florida.

Tex passed away in 1998 and his final resting place is not too far north of Hartley's Store.

Historic Designation of Hartley's Store

In recognition of its cultural significance, the building received historic landmark designation from St. Johns County. It stands as a preserved piece of Florida's rural heritage.

As of 2015 discussions were underway about its future, with family members, including descendants, hoping to restore it as a functioning store. However, it could also be converted into a private residence.

It was home to a new store, Andrew's Homestead, that opened in 2016 but is no longer in business at the location.

Today in 2025 it no longer operates as an active general store but the structure remains standing on SR 13 in Switzerland.   As far as I know, it has not been demolished or significantly altered since. I drove by it as recently as August 2025.

Every time I drive by I think of Tex and his favorite porch.

LOCATION MAP OF SWITZERLAND FLORIDA

Whitney's Florida Pathfinder Map

Florida is the fastest-growing state in the United States and also the fastest-changing.  If you see anything in this article that has changed or is in error, please let me know.

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