Editorial

S.O.S. Even Governor Jeb Bush agrees. He thinks that Florida’s landmarks, natural and man-made alike, are an important part of our state’s heritage, and unfortunately, in our evolving culture, they are becoming precious and few. "They are part of Old Florida lore and New Florida literature, an incomparable curiosity for visitors and residents alike, and a state treasure with a value that cannot be underestimated by our federal government," states the Governor.

Many Congressman and women have joined forces with the members of South Florida community to stop the demolition of the seven remaining Stiltsville homes, scheduled to occur by July 1, 1999. Noted Miami historian Arva Moore Parks is committed to the preservation of Stiltsville, and continues research to unearth further historical proof to substantiate its reconsideration for designation into the National Register of Historic Places. Miami-Dade County’s largest historic preservation society, The Dade Heritage Trust, has recognized the origins of this community and its great contribution to Miami history. The Florida Department of State has unanimously concurred.

Stiltsville has been in existence since the 1920s, Biscayne National Park came in and extended itself through Stiltsville in the 1980s. Now the park wants the houses removed. Who’s on first, what’s on second? They pay property taxes, not that they get any county services; they maintain the properties, make them available for community organizations, and have documented history throughout the years of providing rescue and shelter for boaters in distress.

Many other national parkland are leased out for use, the most obvious of which are the famous Aspen ski slopes. What could have prompted the National Register to deny the application submitted with unanimous approval from the State of Florida, no one knows. Maybe they prefer winter sports, to our warm sunshine.

We have two choices: sit back and let Stiltsville be destroyed, and pretty soon, every place in Florida will look like the rest of the nation’s cities: A Banana Republic, followed by a Gap Store, The Limited and a McDonalds restaurant.

Or perhaps we can all come together and let the Feds know that we are different, and we’d like to preserve our unique history. You decide.

Coconut Grove Times, November 1998

Editorial

Save our History  In the mid 1930s Crawfish Eddy was building the first shack in Stiltsville.  In 1940s, the Quarterdeck Club opened, prompting a 3 page spread published the following year in LIFE magazine.   This month, 57 years later, LIFE magazine will again feature Stiltsville, only now its looks not at its begining, but rather its potential demise.

Eddy was there first, before declared ownwership of submerged lands existed, before leases were tendered, before they abitrarily decided to extend the park to include Stiltsville. This most unique monument to Florida folklore is well maintained and cared for without a single penny of taxpayers' dollar; in fact leases could contribute sorely needed funds to benefit our parks.

In order to save it from demolition in 1999, the state of Florida's Historic Preservation Board has nominated Stiltsville to the National Register of Historic Places.  We hope the feds will agree.