Andytown, Florida facts for kids
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Andytown was a small community in Broward County, Florida. It was located where U.S. Route 27 and Interstate 75 now meet. This town was taken down in 1979. This happened to make space for the bigger Alligator Alley part of Interstate 75.
Even today, you can still find Andytown on some old maps. It also appears on a few online map services. This shows its place in Florida's history.
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What Was Andytown Like?
Andytown was a popular stop for travelers. It had a gas station and a convenience store. There was also a restaurant, a bar, and a motel. The Tsanos family, who were pioneers of Andytown, lived there. They worked at the town since 1964.
The restaurant was a favorite spot. Many people stopped there, including tourists and truck drivers. Hunters and state troopers also visited. It was a key oasis for those going to or from the Everglades.
Who Was Andy?
Andytown was named after Andreas D. Poulos. He was a Greek immigrant from a small village in Greece. Poulos came to the United States in the early 1900s. He later became a proud U.S. citizen.
In 1946, Poulos bought the business that became Andytown. He saw the area's future potential. He was a visionary who loved Florida and the Everglades. After Poulos passed away in 1972, his nephew Kosta "Gus" and his wife Litsa continued running Andytown.
Life in Early Andytown
Life in Andytown was quite different. It did not have electricity until 1953. In 1954, there were no telephones. The closest phone was about 15 miles (24 km) away.
There were no nearby hospitals or police stations. The Tsanos family had to travel for clean drinking water. Wildlife like alligators and snakes were common. Andytown was a true oasis in rural Florida. It was known for its welcoming spirit and interesting people.
Andytown on TV
In the 1960s, a TV show called The Everglades was filmed there. This adventure series used Andytown as one of its filming locations.
Why Andytown Was Demolished
In 1967, the Florida state government took the land. They planned to use it for future transportation projects. Kosta "Gus" tried to fight this decision. He wanted to keep Andytown going.
However, the Department of Transportation won. In 1979, the state announced its plans. They would tear down Andytown's buildings. This was to build new ramps for I-75 and US-27. Gus and Litsa held a big farewell party. The buildings were demolished in November 1979.
Andytown's Lasting Legacy
Even though Andytown is gone, its name lives on. West of US-27, there is an FPL substation. It is still called the Andytown Substation.
In nearby Davie, there was a bar called Legendary Andy's Lounge. It displayed an old Andytown sign. This lounge was a tribute to Andy Poulos. Kosta "Gus" owned and ran it until his death in 2005. His daughter Sophia continued the business. Legendary Andy's Lounge kept the spirit of Andytown alive. It remembered the history of West Broward and the Everglades pioneers. This lounge was also later demolished around 2015.
Nearby areas
Jomo City
Jomo City was located about 1,000 feet (300 m) from Andytown. It was on the west side of U.S. 27. Jomo City only had a gas station and a restaurant.
Rebel City
Rebel City was about 12 miles (19 km) west of Andytown. It had a small two-room cabin. This cabin was built for people who used airboats. They enjoyed exploring the Everglades on weekends.
Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens is another nearby spot. It is located on Flamingo Road.
