Small Neighborhood, Big Story
Andover may be one of Miami Gardens' most compact neighborhoods at just 2 square miles, but what it lacks in size it more than compensates for in historical significance and strategic location. This intimate community of approximately 4,242 residents sits at the geographic heart of South Florida, positioned perfectly at the Golden Glades Interchange where Interstate 95, Florida's Turnpike, and the Palmetto Expressway converge—placing residents within easy reach of both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, just 12 miles in either direction.
But Andover's true distinction lies in its extraordinary archaeological and historical legacy. Within the neighborhood boundaries sits Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area, a 53-acre preserve that represents the oldest documented Seminole settlement in the eastern Everglades. This elevated oak hammock and recreated wetland was once home to the legendary Seminole leader Chitto Tustenuggee, known as the Snake Warrior, whose tribe inhabited these islands from the 1820s through the mid-1850s during the turbulent Second Seminole War era.
🪶 Snake Warrior's Island: 2,500 Years of History
500 BC - 1200 AD: Tequesta Era — Archaeological excavations have revealed artifacts showing continuous habitation by the prehistoric Tequesta people for over 1,700 years. These earliest inhabitants lived on elevated island ridges surrounded by marshlands, hunting, fishing, and thriving in South Florida's unique ecosystem.
1820s-1850s: Seminole Settlement — Miccosukee leader Chitto Tustenuggee (Snake Warrior) established his camp on these strategic islands near the headwaters of Snake Creek. As chief during the Second Seminole War, he led his people in resistance against forced removal. Two Seminole settlements occupied the islands for approximately 30 years before settlers usurped the land and the tribe fled westward.
1947-1992: Perry Family Farm — The land became a dairy farm operated by the Henry Perry family. In 1989, it was earmarked for housing development and shopping centers—a fate that would have erased this irreplaceable heritage site forever.
1991-2004: Preservation Triumph — Archaeological excavations in 1991 established the site's significance. Trust for Public Land negotiated an emergency purchase option, and Florida acquired the property in 1992 for $1.97 million using the Emergency Archaeological Property Acquisition Fund. Broward County opened it as a natural area on January 21, 2004—preserving bird watching, nature trails, fishing, and living history for future generations.
Modern Andover reflects the same pattern as other Miami Gardens neighborhoods, attracting middle and upper-income African American and West Indian American families following the late 1960s construction of I-95 and passage of the Fair Housing Act. These families migrated from inner-city Miami seeking better housing, schools, and opportunities. Today's Andover features 70.97% African American population with 39.7% foreign-born residents (primarily Haitian 18.5%, Jamaican 10.6%, and Cuban 5.1%), creating a culturally rich, multilingual community where English (75%), Spanish (17.9%), and French Creole (4.6%) are commonly heard.
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January 16, 2026
Miami Gardens
