The History of Miami's Stiltsville

Floating above the blue green waters of Biscayne Bay are seven wood houses built upon pilings. Known collectively as Stiltsville, the pastel-colored shacks are located just one mile south of Cape Florida in Miami-Dade County, where they are only accessible by boat.

Today, the houses serve as a reminder of the area’s colorful history. Although the exact details of the story aren’t clear, most sources claim that the first stilit shack was built by Crawfish Eddie Walker in 1933. Walker, who was known for his chowder, used the house to sell bait and beer, and to facilitate gambling, which was apparently legal at least one mile offshore. His two friends, Thomas Grady and Leo Edward, joined him later by building neighboring shacks.

Overtime, a makeshift “shack colony” began to develop on top of the water. Among some of the more notable buildings was the Quarterdeck Club, an invite-only gentlemen's establishment, built in 1941. At the time, it was considered to be one of most popular spots in Miami, fully equipped with a bar, lounge and dining room. By the early 1960s, there were 27 houses and a grounded yacht, known as the Bikini Club, which offered free drinks for women.

The heyday of the community, however, did not last long. Crawfish Eddie’s was eventually destroyed by Hurricane King, the Quarterdeck burned down and the Bikini Club was raided and shut down. Then in 1965, Hurricane Betsy blew away all but 6 shacks. Although many were rebuilt, the state of Florida eventually issued formal leases for the bay bottom, declaring that any remaining stilt houses would need to be removed following the expiration date of 1999.

By the time 1999 rolled around, seven shacks were left standing due to the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew; the community helped Stiltsville owners save the remaining properties by negotiating a deal with the government.

The houses are co-managed by the National Parks Service and the Stiltsville Trust, which work together to rehabilitate the buildings in an effort to support educational services, community gatherings and an artist-in-residence program. The houses are also available for rent, starting at $1,000 per night. For more information, go here.