CHOKOLOSKEE, Fla. — Navigating the shallow island waters of the Everglades at the turn of the 20th century, living on the edge of civilization, Ted Smallwood decided to open a store.

What You Need To Know

  • The Smallwood Store, established in 1906 by Ted Smallwood, is on the National Register of Historic Places

  • It's located at 360 Mamie St., Chokoloskee

  • The store is open seven days a week; hours vary by season

  • The Smallwood family continues to own and care for the store

It was part pharmacy. Part boat yard. Part post office.

“It was a busy place because it was the only place,” said Lynn McMillin.

McMillin is Ted Smallwood’s granddaughter, now the store’s overseer.

“I came the year the road did – in 1956," she said.

Before then — it all happened by boat — even the mail delivery.

Smallwood used conch shell as a horn.

“There’s a lot of obstacles to living down here — it wasn’t an easy life back then,” McMillin said.

While new settlers depended on the store to help scratch out a life, the resident Seminole Indians approached Smallwood for trade, and Smallwood learned their language.

The store is filled with original products, furniture and tools.

Holding more than a century of history and culture, the Smallwood Store is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It's open seven days week, though hours may vary. Click here to learn more.