The History Behind These Houses Over The Ocean In Florida Will Astound You
By Marisa Roman|Published March 20, 2019
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
Sometimes we forget that Florida is so much more than Walt Disney World and tropical beaches. There is a history within this state that can become overlooked by those looking for sun and surf. Like this one set of structures that have withstood the test of time, for instance. But beyond their fascinating locale—stilted over the open ocean—these buildings also have a colorful history worth sharing.
What is seemingly floating above the shallow waters in Biscayne Bay are seven colorful housing structures known as Stiltsville.
Stiltsville dates all the way back to the 1930s, when the very first shack on stilts was built above the water by a man nicknamed Crawfish Eddie Walker.
There were many rumors of these structures being used during the Prohibition as gambling and alcohol dens for those looking to escape the state and national laws.
At its peak, Stiltsville had 27 structures all above water, however, hurricanes, fires, and storms ravished the area, leaving only seven structures left.
In 1985, the bottom land on which these stilted buildings remain became deeded by the State of Florida to the Federal Government as part of the Biscayne National Park.
In 2003, an agreement was established by a non-profit organization called the Stiltsville Trust to preserve the remaining structures in order to showcase the rich diversity of the park’s marine resources.
To learn more about these fascinating structures, visit the National Park Service page by clicking here. Have you ever been to Stiltsville before? Share with us your experience in the comments section!
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