Stiltsville: A Floating Key Biscayne Neighborhood with a Vibrant Past

In 1932, a fun-loving man named “Crawfish Eddie” Walker converted a small barge resting on a sand flat off the coast of Miami in Florida‘s Key Biscayne into a bait and tackle shop that served fresh seafood by day and functioned as a raucous gambling den that served copious amounts of bootlegged rum by night. Thus was the beginning of Stiltsville—a floating neighborhood in Key Biscayne that was one part residential housing and one part den of iniquity.

As the Prohibition dragged on, bootleggers were always on the prowl for places where they could serve booze without getting busted by law enforcement. By the late 1930s, the Calvert Club was in full swing. Several other barges-turned-clubs began to spring up along with residential houses that were mostly occupied by families with young children. LIFE Magazine even did a profile of the Quarterback Club, which was billed as one of Miami’s glitziest hotspots.

Despite a series of police raids, Stiltsville thrived until Hurricane Donna caused a great deal of damage to the floating neighborhood in 1960. After Donna, law enforcement activity in Stiltsville intensified due to reports of gambling and other unsavory activities. In 1965, powerful Hurricane Betsy caused an immense amount of damage. The powers that be were fed up with Stiltsville’s debauchery, so very few people were able to get the proper permits to rebuild in the wake of Betsy.

In the 1980s, Stiltsville became part of Biscayne National Park. After a long battle with the National Park Service, the remaining residents of Stiltsville managed to ensure that their property would become a protected landmark, even if they could no longer inhabit their beloved historic homes.

Today, visitors can kayak or join a boat tour to visit the remaining structures of Stiltsville—which have been renovated numerous times thanks to frequent hurricanes. HistoryMiami offers a boat tour that is led by a local historian. Visitors can tour the interior of some of Stiltsville’s floating homes. Be sure to sign up for HistoryMiami’s tour in advance if you are interested in participating, as space is limited and the tour tends to fill up fast.

In addition to exploring the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a trip to Stiltsville offers a glimpse into a unique neighborhood with a vibrant past. Perhaps a trip to Stiltsville will inspire you to find a secluded sand flat where you can convert a barge into a cozy home of your own.