SMALLWOOD STORE AND MUSEUM

By  Mike Miller July 20, 2025

OVERVIEW

The Smallwood Store and Museum in Chokoloskee, Florida, is a historic trading post turned museum.

Established in 1906 by Ted Smallwood, it sits on Chokoloskee Island in the Everglades.

The museum preserves the pioneer history of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands.

Visitors can explore original goods and artifacts from the early 20th century. The site offers a glimpse into the lives of settlers and Seminole Indians.  

evergladescitysmallwoods.jpgSmallwood Store and Museum

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Ted Smallwood settled on Chokoloskee Island in 1897 and became postmaster in 1906. He opened the store to trade hides, furs, and farm produce with settlers and Seminoles.

Built in 1917, the store also served as a post office and community hub. It operated until 1982, with 90% of its original stock intact.

In 1989, Ted’s granddaughter, Lynn Smallwood-McMillin, reopened it as a museum.

The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It reflects the rugged life of early Everglades settlers.  

VISITING DETAILS

The Smallwood Store and Museum is at 360 Mamie Street, Chokoloskee, FL 34138, near Everglades City.

From May to November, it’s open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM. From December to April, it’s open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Call (239) 695-2989 for updates.

The island is accessible by car via a causeway from Everglades City. Parking is available near the store. 

The Tigertail Gift Shop sells local books, Seminole crafts, and souvenirs.

Boat tours, including the “Bloody Watson” tour, depart from the store’s dock. Check their website for tour schedules.  

INTERESTING FACTS

  • The store holds 90% of its original stock, including Coca-Cola bottles, sewing machines, and medicinal tonics.  
  • A fiberglass figure of Ted Smallwood sits in a rocking chair, startling visitors who mistake it for a real person.  
  • The store traded with Seminole Indians, who brought pelts and crafts to exchange for goods.  
  • “Bloody” Ed Watson, an alleged outlaw, was killed by a posse at the store in 1910 after murdering workers.  
  • The museum’s back deck overlooks Chokoloskee Bay, where locals and Seminoles once docked boats to trade.

SMALLWOOD STORE AND MUSEUM WEBSITE


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