Why do they call it Tigertail Avenue

By Wellborn Phillips, 05/27/13

Tigertail Avenue in Coconut Grove is named for a famous Seminole Indian. This is the story of the legends and history—and some fiction that surrounds it.

Tigertail was born in Spanish Florida about l790. His Indian name was Thlocklo Tustenuggee or Fish Warrior. His father was chief of the Tallahassee branch of Seminoles that once lived in the area of the state capital.

Young Fish Warrior grew up as a conspicuous figure: over six feet tall, athletic, powerfully-built, with dark skin, deep furrows in his face and a nose and mouth considerably larger than the average.

The First Seminole War (l8l7-l8) occurred while Fish Warrior was still a young man. His tribe remained friendly with the white man and he lived for a while with the Robert Gamble Family. Fish Warrior developed polished manners, spoke English fluently was baptized a Christian, kept the Sabbath and developed friends among the whites.

The United States purchased Florida from Spain in l821. Two years later, its new Territorial Governor Duval sought a peaceful solution with the Indians. During negotiation of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek (held south of present day Jacksonville), Duval arranged numerous athletic activities to keep the Indians busy while their chiefs were involved in the negotiations. And young Fish Warrior became their star athlete. And a friend nicknamed him” tiger tail” because he wore strip of panther skin dangling from his waist.

The treaty of Moultrie Creek called for the Indians removal to a 4,000,000,000 acre reservation stretching from present day Ocala south to Charlotte Harbor. But it pleased no one. Charges of bad faith and fraud flew. During the next l2 years, moderate Indian leaders—Neamanther, John Hicks and others—were replaced or superseded by firebrands--Micanopy, Billy Bowlegs, Osceola—and Tiger Tail. And these new chiefs led their tribes to war.

The Second Seminole War (l835-l442) was one of the most savage and costly in American history. Causalities included l, 466 American troops, thousands of Indians killed, numerous plantations, destroyed and their owners’s slaves and live stock destroyed. (Mysteriously, the Robert Gamble Plantation was one of the few in the Tallahassee area that was left unharmed.) But Tiger Tail had earned among the whites a reputation as one of the most talented and devious of the chiefs.

By the end of the war, the Indians were not completely defeated. There was no peace treaty. America just declared “We won.” And the troops went home. Some Indians retreated into the Everglades where their descendants live today. Others were killed or captured and shipped off to the Oklahoma Reservation. Osceola was captured under a flag of truce and held in the fort at St. Augustine where he died months later.

One night a village where Tiger Tail was staying was surprised by American troops. Supposedly, everyone was captured. The Indians showed the whites a very old Indian who had been beaten up in a drunken brawl. His features were not recognizable. And he Indians told the troops “that is Tiger Tail.” The jubilant troops carried the old Indian to a ship headed for New Orleans on the way to Oklahoma. The old Indian died in New Orleans.

More recent evidence indicates that Tiger Tail actually escaped from the village as the troops arrived, then led into the Everglades where he lived for a while. Others say he went along to Oklahoma, still not recognized as the Indian American troops especially wanted to catch and then later, he escaped to Mexico and finally found his way to South Florida.

In the l860’s, an Indian arrived in Dade County and settled in the woods in an area that would be soon known as “Coconut Grove”. He was believed to be about 70 years old, but well-built and strong, six feet tall, with dark skin, deep furrows in his face and a large mouth and nose. He said his name was Tiger Tail. He camped on the bluff about where Aviation Avenue is today.

At the time, the area had a few squatters, but very shortly, the first of the permanent settlers (Dr Beasley, the Frows, Peacocks and Pents would arrive).And Tiger Tail was friendly with every one, wandering up and down the trails, sometimes trading, other times just visiting.

Most of the trails were ill-defined, but there was one that was a branch of the main trail that paralleled the coast, beginning about where 27th Avenue is today and continuing into the woods to present day l7th Avenue. This trail was nicknamed “Tiger Tail’s Trail” after the new settler’s new Indian friend.

In l882, the old Indian was standing under a tree during a rain storm when lightning struck the tree and killed him. The chance to establish his identity for sure died with him. But the trail remains as one of Coconut Grove’s favorite Avenues and Tigertail has become one word.

In l9l2, when developers began plating new subdivisions, starting with the First Amended Plat of Silver Bluff, they named the new street after the old Indian where ever it coincided with the trail of long ago And the Board of County Commissioners made it part of history when it accepted the plat.

WHY DO THEY CALL IT THE JULIA TUTTLE CAUSEWAY?

NOTE: as of this minute I can not find the original article.

By Wellborn Phillips, Jr.

Julia Tuttle, for whom the causeway was named, was one of the founders of Greater Miami. Today, she is affectionately known as “the Mother of Miami.” The other two founders were Henry Flagler, who bought his railroad to the Miami Area and is known today as “The Father of Miami” and William Brickell, a prominent property owner who gave Tuttle and Flagler valuable assistance, helping to bring success to their efforts. All three came from Cleveland Ohio.

The significant roles of Flagler and Brickell were memorialized for generations to come by streets named for each-- Flagler Street and Brickell Avenue. Ironically, almost a century would pass before Julia Tuttle also got well earned, similar recognition when the important, new causeway was built, connecting Biscayne Boulevard at NE36 Street in Miami with Arthur Godfrey Road and Miami Beach and the County Commission named it for Julia Tuttle.

Our story begins many years before that. As the American Civil War ended in 1865, veterans began to trickle into largely uninhabited South Florida. Some were carpetbaggers, others, well-established settlers. In 1870, 2 well-established settlers arrived from Cleveland—William Brickell and Ephean T. Sturtevant. Stutevant was the father of Julia Tuttle.

Brickell purchased a hugh tract of land south of the Miami River from William English, d built the first large house in the area and a store—or “trading post”—as he called it. Both men had planned to work together; instead, they quarreled. And Sturtevant stomped off into the wilderness.

Sturtevant eventually settled in an area to the north known (then) as “Biscayne”—an area where Miami Shores is today. He acquired a homestead, bought an orange grove and earned his first claim to fame—or infamy-- as one of William Gleason’s key Carpetbagger politicians.

Back in Cleveland 3 years before, in 1867, Julia DeForest Sturtevant married Frederick Leonard Tuttle, a wealthy steel mill owner. In the next 3 years, the Tuttles had 2 children, a daughter, Frances, and a son, Henry.

In 1871, Julia Tuttle and her father, left Cleveland on a steamship and visited the Fort Dallas area, north of the River. Then Tuttle returned to Cleveland while Sturtevant returned to Biscayne.

In 1875, the 26 year old Julia Tuttle visited Sturtevant. She brought along a friend we know only as a Mrs. Davis, and the 2 ladies’ 3 children. Arva Moore Parks in Miami, The Magic City tells us how the locals received the visitors. “The arrival of the two ladies. . . created quite a sensation in the small Miami settlement. Very few women were living in Miami—especially cultured and refined lades. Many thought it was shocking for married women to travel so far without their husbands.”

Again thanks to Mrs. Parks, we have today the diary of one of the “locals”, a George Patton, who wrote in his diary “Mrs. T. very young . . . both good looking ... Mrs. Tuttle . . . full of life . . . but not discreet . . . possesses a stout heart”

Today—nearly 150 years later—we can speculate how different Cleveland and Miami would be today if Frederick Tuttle had lived longer and Julia Tuttle remained just Cleveland’s most prominent socialite. “Everyone” in Miami today is sure that without Mrs. Julia Tuttle, our town today would be quite different —and its history, a lot less exciting . . .So “everyone” is delighted it didn’t work out that way.

In 1886, Julia Tuttle’s husband died, leaving her with the iron foundry which she operated for some time. In 1891, Julia Tuttle’s father also died, and left her his land in Biscayne. Almost immediately, Mrs. Tuttle decided to move to South Florida.

South Florida still had only 2 little-- but thriving—communities, Lemon City in the Biscayne area and Coconut Grove. South of the River were Brickell’s two buildings. And scattered in the dense forest nearby were a dozen or so crude homes built by pioneers or Indians.

Mrs. Tuttle could easily have moved to the Biscayne property inherited from her father. Or she could have bought some of Brickell’s property. Instead, she was fascinated by the area north of the River, the 640 acres with the old Fort Dallas buildings known as the James Eagan Grant. Years before, the Bay Biscayne Company bought the 640 acres from William English and had plans to develop it. But they were not successful. And now, they wanted to unload

The Grant extends from the River north along Biscayne Bay to another un-developed, area where Omni is today-- an area known today as “Downtown Miami” with the County’s most valuable real estate.

Mrs. Tuttle’s plans included selling the iron foundry and using the proceeds to buy the 640 acres, finance the trip and be able to support her family until she could create a source of new income.

At the same time, she began dreaming of the large city which some day would rise from the jungle. And she decided to do herself what-ever was necessary to make her dreams come true.

First, Mrs. Tuttle also realized the success of her plans depended upon good transportation to the area. In 1886, that meant a railroad. And she became interested in two Florida railroads, the South Florida Railroad in Central Florida and the Florida East Coast Railroad which, Flagler had built from Jacksonville to St. Augustine. And rumors “everywhere” predicted Flagler would build his railroad further south..

At first, Mrs. Tuttle was exclusively interested in the FECRR. Its owner, Henry Flagler, was one of the John D. Rockefeller Partners. Years before, Rockefeller and partners got their start with oil wells in Ohio. And they lived in Cleveland. Only recently—and with the company now known as “Standard Oil”--they moved to New York.

Julia Tuttle, still considered them “former neighbors.” And she thought she knew Flagler personally. So she wrote a series of letters to Flagler. Flagler did not respond.

Months later, Mrs. Tuttle sent another letter, this time, to Tampa, Florida, addressed to South Florida Railroad. Several weeks later, she was delighted with a reply from James E. Ingraham, President of SFRR—and she was especially delighted. Ingram offered to travel to Cleveland to discuss her ideas.

During Ingraham’s visit, Mrs. Tuttle offered Ingraham half of the Egan Grant to entice the SFRR to extend its rails into Miami from Tampa. Ingraham explained that the railroad might be interested in Tuttle’s offer. It had just completed its rail line from Sanford into Tampa and was considering further expansions.

Ingraham also explained that he was president of the railroad and liked Mrs. Tuttal’s proposal but the final decision belonged to a Mr. Henry B. Plant who owned the railroad. He promised to talk with Plant as soon as he got back to Tampa and would report back to Mrs. Tuttle almost immediately.

Since her husband’s death—and despite her enthusiasm for Miami—Mrs. Tuttle wanted to handle family affairs judiciously. And Ingraham’s manner convinced her that she had a firm agreement for the railroads extension into Miami. So she sold the iron foundry. And packed her bags.

On November 13, 1881Mrs. Julia Tuttle arrived on a barge with her children, Fannie and Harry, now 23 and 21 years old, and with all her possessions. And E.W. Ewan, President of Bay Biscayne Company waited on the dock for her. .

Mrs. Tuttle gave the money to Ewan and received the deed to the 640 acres. She also got good news: Ingraham was surveying the Everglades between Fort Meyers and Miami.

Mrs. Tuttle moved her belongings to Fort Dallas, a relic from the Seminole War, and in the next several months, she converted the ruins into a charming home. Thanks to Arva Moore Parks, we have today a letter that Tuttle wrote to a friend in Cleveland: “It may seem strange to you, “ Mrs. Tuttle wrote, “but it is a dream of my life to see this wilderness turned into a prosperous country.

”Some time later, Ingraham and his party of 21men stumbled out of the Everglades, exhausted after several months of wandering on foot from Tampa to Ft. Myers and then through part of the Everglades and into the Miami Area.

Mrs. Tuttle met them, wined and dined them, raised the American flag and set off fireworks for the occasion. Ingram and his group were impressed. And Ingraham promised again to discuss their findings with Henry Plant and report back as soon as possible.

A month later, Mrs. Tuttle got the news from Ingraham. Henry Plant had rejected her offer. Plant had decided the extension of his railroad from Tampa through the Everglades to Miami would be impossible to justify—He told Ingram, “There is ‘nothing’ in Miami to make the extension worth while.”

Mrs. Tuttle was surprised—then flabbergasted—and finally, heartbroken, but never discouraged. Once again, she wrote letters to Henry Flagler. Then she went to Palm Beach to see him. Nothing worked.

The winter of 1894-95 did for Mrs. Tuttle that which she hadn’t been able to do for herself: a deep freeze hit Florida, destroying orange crops—and the trees--throughout Central Florida. And for a change, Mr. Flagler was finally paying attention!

Once again, Mrs. Tuttle went to Palm Beach, this time, with a bouquet of orange blossoms to prove that the Miami area had been untouched by a deep freeze.

In Palm Beach, Mrs. Tuttle was surprised to find James E. Ingraham.

Let me digress briefly and Discuss James Ingraham--Since Mrs. Tuttle had seen him in the Miami Area and since Plant had turned down Ingraham’s recommendation to extend the South Florida rails into the Miami Area, Ingraham had been quite busy.

First, Ingraham and Plant had quarreled over the future of the South Florida Railroad.

Then, Ingraham resigned as president and left Tampa.

Several days later, he walked into Flagler’s new hotel at Ormond Beach (where Flagler’s railroad stopped) and where Flagler was staying at the moment.. And he met Henry Flagler.

Several days later, Henry Flagler appointed James E. Ingraham President of the Florida East Coast Railroad!

This time— and back in Palm Beach—Mrs. Tuttle quickly realized Henry Flagler had an entirely different attitude. Was it the newspaper reports Flagler had been reading? Or the bouquet of orange blossoms? Or the new perspectives of James Ingraham? Or was it all three things combined? History doesn’t tell us. But Flagler was a changed man. And the 3 people—Flagler, Tuttle and Ingraham-- sat down for a long talk.

Finally, it was decided that James Ingraham should accompany Mrs. Tuttle on her trip back to the Miami Area and he should make a new report for Flagler.

Of course, Ingraham had already made a report only a short time ago for Henry Plant. But this wasn’t good enough for Flagler. He wanted a brand new report from Ingraham and from Ingraham as President of the Florida East Coast Railroad.

So Ingraham accompanied Mrs. Tuttle on her trip back to the Miami Area, made the new study and delivered it to Flagler in Palm Beach. And then Flagler decided he wanted to see the Miami Area himself.

When Flagler arrived in the Miami Area, Julia Tuttle took Flagler to the Peacock Inn in Coconut Grove for lunch. It was the only restaurant in South Florida that would rate even back then as a restaurant. But apparently, Flagler was impressed. She also showed Flagler photographs that pioneer photographer Ralph M. Monroe had taken of the area.

At the same time, she enlisted the help of William Brickell and Brickell sweatened the deal by offering Flagler additional lands South of the Miami River and elsewhere.

Several weeks later, Flagler returned to the Miami Area to sign the agreement that would create the embryo of today’s Greater Miami. It was just a simple statement drawn up without the assistance of an army of lawyers, listing what each party agreed to do.

Fortunately, Mrs. Tuttle had already had the land surveyed, so she gave the survey to Flager who had his engineers plat the entire area: first, the site for the railroad station and rights of way for railroad tracks, then the rest in standard sized city lots. The city lots would be divided equally with each—Flagler, then Mrs. Tuttle—selecting alternate strips of lots.

Flagler also agreed to install water mains, curbs and gutters and pave the streets for the entire area (streets not only for his lots, but also for the lots Mrs. Tuttle kept. He also agreed to build at least a 250 room hotel and a water plant.

On April 15, 1896, the first train, with a wood-burning engine, chugged into Miami.. Flagler planned a large celebration. And he invited Plant.

According to the newspapers, Plant declined with a telegram, saying, “I wouldn’t know how to get there.”

Flagler, according to newspapers, wired back the directions to Plant: “Just go to Jacksonville and follow the crowd!”

This exchange made good news print—whether or not it actually took place.

In the mean time, in Miami, lots of things began happening. The Royal Palm Hotel and a water plant were under construction , water mains were installed and streets were paved. And almost from “nowhere” a flood of new people arrived in the area with projects of their own: Miami’s first bank, telephone and electric light companies; its first newspaper and its first department store.

On July 28, 1896, the city was incorporated and according to Charleton W. Tebeaul in A History of Florida a city council was seated seated and the name Miami adopted--all with 343 voters, many of them Flagler employees.

For the next 5 months, the newly-created Miami “enjoyed” its first real estate boom. For several blocks, wood structures were poorly planned and hastily constructed to house Miami’s first business firms. Then on Christmas Morning, 1896, a fire broke out in Brady’s Grocery. And it spread. The entire town—including Julia Tuttle, her son and daughter-- turned out to fight the blaze. They were not successful. The area, with 28 businesses, was lost.

Three weeks later, the Royal Palm Hotel opened. It was in the same area where the DuPont Hotel is today. It was a giant structure, 5 stories and 700 feet long, painted “Flagler Yellow”—like all Flagler hotels. The veranda was 576 feet long. There were 350 guest bedrooms and 200 bath rooms. The entire building had electricity!

Miami quickly recovered from the fire. There were many other things that badly needed doing. And the fire was recognized as a blessing after all. New residents, with architects, began planning beautiful new buildings to occupy the burned out areas.

At times, Henry Flagler was a generous partner who recognized a need for schools, city hall, a hospital, churches and a woman’s club. He provided the land and building for the first school, city hall and the land for a woman’s club.

Mrs. Julia Tuttle, an Episcopalian, was concerned that the nearest Episcopal church was in Coconut Grove=--which back then, seemed miles away. So she donated a lot on Bayshiore drive for a church. And the fast-growing congregation began raising money, then building a charming little frame building known as Trinity Church that would serve them well for 20 years.

In the 1920s, this building was replaced by today’s magnivicant Italian Gothic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Henry Flagler, a Presbyterian, followed Mrs. Julia Tuttle’s example by donating land to the Presbyterians, Methodists and Catholics.

And finally, Henry Flagler realized “his” new town would need a doctor and a hospital.

Of course, his railroad already had a doctor, Dr. James Jackson. So Flagler found another doctor for his railroad, sent Jackson to Miami and built a building for him. Years later, that building was restored, moved to the campus of Jackson Memorial Hospital and named “The Alamo.”

In the meantime, Mrs. Julia DeForest Sturtevant Tuttle had been a truly great mother—for her children and for the future Greater Miami, Florida. Unfortunately, she was unable to enjoy a long life with her children and admirers and see her dreams for Miami come completely true.

She fell ill. Her trouble was diagnosed as meningitis. Her children made plans to move her to Ashville, North Carolina by rail. And Henry Flagler dispatched a special railroad car for the trip.. But her condition worsened. And she died on September 14, 1898.

The funeral was at her Fort Dallas home, the burial in a place of honor at the City of Miami’s first cemetery on NE 2^nd Avenue. She was the 5^th person buried there. And today, Mrs. Tuttle is also remembered by a statue on Bayfront Park.

Unfortunately, she also left behind a mountain of debts. And her children sold off her remaining lots to pay them. For a while, she was almost forgotten, which seems espec- ially sad today. Today, the proceeds from the sale of just one of her lots would pay for her debts many, many times. And regardless of the size of her debts, they are bound to have been puny compared to the mammoth wealth that her vision and efforts generated.

Today, historians remind us of a conversation between Henry Flagler and Mrs. Tuttle.

Flagler told her, “The town will never be more than a fishing village for my hotel guests.”

Today, Flagler’s vision has been exceeded thousands of times. It was Mrs. Tuttle’s vision that was accurate.

Today, as we wiz across Biscayne Bay on the Julia Tuttle Causeway, we might wish Julia Tuttle could be sitting on the seat beside us, glancing across-- and enjoying-- the blue waters of Biscayne Bay and looking in all directions at the skylines of Miami and Miami Beach.

Mrs. Julia Tuttle’s “dream of (her) life, to see the wilderness turned into a prosperous country” has actually happened. And we are grateful to her for not only dreaming, but also for doing all that she could as long as she lived to make her dreams eventually come true.