Andrew "Andy" B. Plassey Memorial

ANDREW (ANDY) B. PLASSEY MEMORIAL
Westward Dr. median west of City Hall

Andrew (Andy) B. Plassey
1900 – 1984
In Light of His Outstanding Service to the Community
Miami Springs Pioneer Since 1924

In January, 1920, after a 12-day drive from Detroit in a 1910 Buick, 20-year old Andy Plassey and his family relocated to South Florida in search of warmer weather for his father’s health. His father, Neil, a former businessman and builder, bought a potato farm in Pennsucco (now along the wetlands bordering NW Miami-Dade County) where they raised a bumper crop of potatoes and were able to pay off their mortgage in the first year.

In 1923, the Plasseys met Glenn Curtiss, who was developing a new area called Country Club Estates. Curtiss promised the Plasseys that he would give them a piece of land in that development if they would start building a house on it in a couple of weeks. So, the potato farm was sold and the Plasseys built themselves a Spanish-style home at 309 Azure Way. At that time, Andy recalls that South Florida was “one of the country’s last frontiers.” There were only 15 or 20 houses in the area, a small camp of Seminole Indians, and no garbage collection, entertainment, mayor, public transportation, churches or civic groups. To get to the nearest grocery store in Hialeah, he recalls barging across the river as there were no bridges yet.

After marrying in 1926, except for a short time selling radios, Andy spent the rest of his life constructing apartment buildings and homes in Miami Springs, including the Miami Springs Woman’s Club, the Lions Club, and the commercial block originally called the “Miami Springs Shopping Center” (14-90 Westward Drive). Andy served on the City Council for six years in the 1950’s, and enjoyed watching it grow, doing what he could for his adopted City. He was an active member in the Shriners, the Masons, the YMCA and a former president of the Hialeah-Miami Springs Lions Club. In 1984, shortly before his death, he commented about Miami Springs that “I think it’s growing very fast, but I think it’s maintained its personality. It’s a nice little town.”