Miami, Florida: Frog City (Gone)

I got my first fishing license at Frog City in 1959. I grew up in Miami; Dad used to take us fishing out Loop Road. We stopped always at Frog City for drinks etc. My recollection is that it was real close to where Loop Road met (new) 41. My understanding has always been that Loop Road was the original highway. I was told - but have been unable to verify (or disprove) - that there had once been a "way station" at Frog City. My understanding is that there were four "way stations," but I can remember only Monroe Station.

Some time back in 1978 or 1979 the sign outside of Frog City read "Population 7." Then the "7" was x'd out with an "8" painted next to it. It moved up to a high of 12. Now it's sad to see folks say it is long gone.

Frog City was a small town on US 41, 22 miles west of Miami. It no longer exists. I went looking for it and found only a 6x6 sign on a fenced off, overgrown area; the sign was green, with a frog on it, and the words: "FROG LEGS. Always Fresh." Apparently that is all that is left.

In the early 1970s I lived in Miami. I would dial the operator and ask for "Frog City 22" and be connected to the town's restaurant/post office/gas station. I would make reservations for dinner (frog legs) and drive out there for the freshest, most succulent little frog legs you could suck off the bone. A whole basketful. I remember that the place had autographed b&w photographs of famous people hanging on the walls. The only thing I found out there now was about a mile east, a more modern attraction that held no memories of Frog City at all.

From 1971-74 I worked for Southern Bell Telephone in Hialeah. I recall Frog City needing the assistance of an operator to call the phones in that town. There were only about seven or eight phones in the entire town. I remember single numeral phone numbers. For example, a resident of Frog City's phone number might be "3." While someone was on the phone, anyone in town could pick up their own phone and hear the conversation. There were one or two other tiny towns in Florida with similar "party line" phone service, but I cannot recall their names.

I have this picture with my great-grandmother in the picture and across the street you can see the sign "Frog City" in the distance, and obviously they are standing under one of the famous sausage trees.