Andytown, Florida

Andytown was a town located in Broward County, Florida, United States at the intersection of U.S. 27 and I-75. It was demolished in 1979 in order to allow for the expansion of the Alligator Alley portion of Interstate 75. Andytown can be found on maps from the 1970s (and even 1980s, as it was years before they were updated). It remains today on some online map services. MSN's Maps service, for instance, returns a map for a search of Andytown. Google Maps similarly includes a place marker for it.

"Andytown" redirects here. For the Belfast suburb, see Andersonstown.
Andytown sign displayed at Andy's Lounge and Package in Davie, Florida
A tribute to Andytown, Florida; this is inscribed on the top of the Interstate 75 (eastbound) bridge abutment spanning U.S. Route 27.
Aerial photograph of Andytown, Fla. in 1957

Back when SR-84 and US-27 were each two-lane roads, the intersection was controlled by a simple traffic light. At the southeast corner of that intersection, there was a gas station with a convenience store, restaurant, and a bar.[1] The restaurant was a very popular stopping point, especially for people who ventured into or returned from the Everglades.

Andytown was named after Andrew D. Poulos.[1] A Greek immigrant previously living Philadelphia, Poulos bought the business there in 1946 or 1950, depending on the source.[1][2] After Poulos died in 1972, his nephew Gus and Gus' brother-in-law John maintained the property.[2]

Andytown did not have electricity service until 1953.[1] As of 1954, it did not have any telephones; the nearest telephone was located 15 miles (24 km) away.[1]

in 1967, the Florida state government purchased the land for its future use in transportation projects.[2] In 1979, the state announced it would be demolishing the buildings in Andytown in order to build entrance and exit ramps at the intersection of I-75 and US-27.[2] The building was demolished in November 1979.[2]

Further remains of Andytown are located west of US-27 on Griffin Road; across the street from the cemetery is an FPL substation, named the Andytown Substation. Additionally, in nearby Davie, a bar called Andy's Lounge and Package displayed an old Andytown sign over their door, until the bar was demolished to make way for a Cumberland Farms.

Nearby areas

Jomo City was located about 1,000 feet (300 m) away from Andytown, on the west side of U.S. 27.[1] Jomo City had a gas station and a restaurant and nothing else.[1]

Rebel City was located about 12 miles (19 km) west of Andytown and consisted of a two-room cabin.[3] It was built for people with airboats who enjoyed exploring the Everglades on the weekends.[3]

References
  1. Rockefeller, Al (April 18, 1954). "Troubled Motorists Find Haven At Andytown". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 3-B.
  2. Hicks, John (September 23, 1979). "Andy's". The Orlando Sentinel. p. 12.
  3. Jones, Duane (October 3, 1954). "Rebel City a Haven in Glades for Airboatmen". The Miami Herald. p. 5-BR.

26°08′45″N 80°26′30″W

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