The Village of El Portal borders Miami to its east and south and was incorporated in 1937. Sherwood Forest, is a bird sanctuary,  filled with 75-foot tall oak trees, manatees, reptiles, and a variety of plants. Having been noted as the oldest non-permanent European settlement in the New World, scholars have traced the Village to have been home to a small group of Spanish settlers as early as 1535 (earlier than St. Augustine). Originally laid out by Lee T. Cooper of Ohio, Cooper purchased a large portion of El Portal for as little as $25/acre.

Another historic component of the Village is the Tequesta Indian Mound, one of the highest points in Miami-Dade, dating back to the year 600, when ancient Tequesta Indians migrated and settled there after passing by on the Little River. The Mound was declared a historic landmark in Miami-Dade in the 1920’s, being the first archaeological site to have this honor in the entire county. Later, in 1923, one of the oldest churches in the county was established- the Rader Memorial United Methodist Church. The Village community continues to honor the legacy of the original architecture and nature every day.

For the past 80 years or so, the Village has been home to an active and involved community. The Village’s extensive tree canopy celebrates its designation as a “Tree City USA” for their excellence in urban forestry management. In 2002, El Portal voted to change to a Council-Manager form of government. In 2013, The Design Charrette took place to plan for a more environmentally sustainable, beautiful, future for the Village. As for the Rader Memorial Methodist Church, in early 2007, the congregation elected to merge with another Methodist church and the building was sold to be converted into a convent and for other uses. Currently, the Village continues to make improvements to preserve the culture and architecture of the Village and bring it’s people together via community events.