CHOKOLOSKEE
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CHOKOLOSKEE |
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NAME: Chokoloskee COUNTY: Collier ROADS: 2WD GRID: 4 CLIMATE: warm and breezy most of the year BEST TIME TO VISIT: anytime there is not a hurricane |
COMMENTS:
Located south of Everglades City on route 29A. Follow the signs to Chokoloskee Island, and once there follow the signs to the Smallwood Store. Area maintains a small resident population. REMAINS: Smallwood Store, marine dry dock rail system, various artifacts and hurricane damages structures |
| The modern settlement of Chokoloskee Island started in 1874. The Island name is an Indian word meaning "Old Home". Early settlers included Adolphus Santini, CG McKinney and Ted Smallwood. The island residents farmed, fished, caught turtles, and hunted alligators and local wildlife. In 1891 a post office was started by CG McKinney, who also helped start the first school on the island. McKinney acted as postmaster and Ted Smallwood was the mail carrier. Because of the uncertainty of the mail boat schedule, a conch shell would be blown to alert the islanders that the mail had arrived. In 1906 Ted Smallwood became Chokoloskee postmaster and opened a general store which housed the post office. The store became the main feature of the island, selling supplies to the community and trading and keeping good relations with the local Seminole indians. Chokoloskee and the other small isolated islands nearby also became a refuge for outlaws, the most notable being Edgar Watson. Watson had ties to other outlaws and had killed at least one person when he came to the area. During an arguement in Key West he slit the throat of Adolphus Santini. In 1910, while Edgar Watson was involved in a situation dealing with multiple murders, he returned to Chokoloskee. He was met at the shore by a large crowd and killed. Ted Smallwood continued to run the general store and remained postmaster until he retired in 1941. In 1956 the causeway to Chokoloskee Island was completed, finally providing road to the mainland. The Smallwood Store remained open until 1982, and has now re-opened as a museum. Submitted by: Jim Pike |
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