Dear Mr. Stanton:

We are writing to express our support for the reconsideration of placing Stiltsville]e on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the Biscayne Bay area of Miami, Stiltsville is a unique community consisting of seven homes supported by stilts, about a mile from the nearest coastline.

Last August. the Florida Department of State strongly recommended that Stiltsville be entered in the National Register of Historic Places. This application was denied at the national level on March 18, 1999, but Stiltsville supporters were not notified regarding this important decision until just this month. We understand that they plan a petition for reconsideration.

Stiltsville has tremendous historic and cultural value for our area. With its unique and distinctive architectural facades, it has provided a backdrop for many books, films, television shows, and art and literary projects. Stiltsville also has special significance to local residents and tourists, as an historical place on the South Florida Historical Association tour, and it also has ecological value as a haven for sea life

The Dade Heritage Trust, Miami-Dade County’s largest historic preservation society, has recognized the colorful origins of this community and its unique contribution to Miami history by exempting it from its rules requiring structures to be 50 years for an historic designation. The Florida Department of State has also concurred with this recommendation.

We strongly believe that the preservation of the Stiltsville homes will not only contribute to the aesthetic beauty of the region but will continue to provide a source of pride for future generations to come. We hope that you will assist us in this endeavor to save this treasure and that you will reconsider your initial decision and approve its designation into the National Register of Historic Places.

Sincerely,