Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Homes That Hover
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
1. Homes That Hover Marker
Stiltsville got its start in the 1930s, when "Crawfish" Eddie Walker set up a bait shop on the bay.
The area takes its name from the houses built on stilts above the water. By the 1950s and 1960s, it was a popular gathering place for fishermen, boaters, club-goers and well-known citizens, such as former governor of Florida, LeRoy Collins. Today, the National Park Service owns the land on which Stiltsville stands, and the structures are part of Biscayne National Park.
"No one who chances upon the phenomenon of Stiltsville for the first time will ever forget the sight of homes that hover above the waters, miles away from any shore, like stuctures from a dream."
Les Standiford, letter to Mr. Richard Shaw, August 12, 1998
(captions)
The Calvert Club was one of the earliest and most popular destinations in Stiltsville. It is shown here with members of the Miami Rod and Reel Club in 1938.
Seven structures currently make up Stiltsville: Hicks House; Bay Chateau; Leshaw House; Baldwin, Sessions, Shaw House; A Frame House; Jimmy Ellenburg House; Miami Springs Power Boat Club
Feel the unique structure of the A-Frame House. It was added to Stiltsville in the 1950s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals
this page online
Location. 25° 39.932′ N, 80° 9.486′ W. Marker is in Key Biscayne, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Crandon Boulevard and Cape Florida Park Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at the southern tip of Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne. Stiltsville is in the waters of Biscayne Bay, one mile south of Cape Florida. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 S Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne FL 33149, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bahama Dinghy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Key Biscayne, The Barrier Island (about 500 feet away); U.S. Coast Survey Base Marker (about 600 feet away); The Archaeology of Key Biscayne (about 600 feet away); Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage (about 600 feet away); Escaping to Freedom in the Bahamas (about 600 feet away); Restoration Hardware (about 600 feet away); Dade Heritage Trust’s Cape Florida Lighthouse Brick Program (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key Biscayne.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
2. Stiltsville view from marker
1. Stiltsville Trust, Inc. Trust website homepage (Submitted on December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
2. Stiltsville. Wikipedia (Submitted on December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
3. Stiltsville. Biscayne National Park, National Park Service (Submitted on December 15, 2014.)
Additional commentary.
1. Stiltsville
Stiltsville is a locally beloved collection of houses built on pylons (stilts) in Biscayne Bay. Used for decades for partying, socializing, charity events, and fishing, Stiltsville has withstood many hurricanes with houses destroyed and rebuilt. Only seven houses remain today. Biscayne National Park now owns the land under the houses and has ordered their demolition. Public efforts to save Stiltsville continue unabated.
— Submitted December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
3. Homes That Hover Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 26, 2019
4. Homes That Hover Marker
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
5. Calvert Club
The Calvert Club was one of the earliest and most popular destinations in Stiltsville. It is shown here with members of the Miami Rod and Reel Club in 1938.
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
6. Hicks House
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
7. Bay Chateau
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
8. A-Frame house
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
9. Jimmy Ellenburg House
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
10. Miami Springs Power Boat Club
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
11. Leshaw House
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, December 4, 2014
12. Baldwin, Sessions, Shaw House
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 4. submitted on June 2, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on December 14, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
