This strange Florida ghost town was built on stilts. Here’s what it looks like

Those taking a trip to Biscayne Bay in South Florida may spot an odd sight on the horizon.

Far out in the bay’s shallow waters, six shacks stand on rickety-looking stilts.

This area of the state is appropriately called “Stiltsville,” and its history stretches as far back as the 1930s.

Around that time, a man named “Crawfish” Eddie Walker constructed a small barge out in the bay, where he sold bait, beer and crawfish chowder. Or at least, that’s how it seemed on the surface.

According to Noble House Hotels, the building was rumored to be a hotbed for “rum running” and illegal gambling, which turned Walker into something of a local legend for crime lore.

Walker wasn’t the only one attracted to the idea of literally living on the water, though.

By 1940, several other houses were built out in the bay, including the “Quarterdeck Club,” which also gained a reputation as a popular gambling club after World War II.

In the decades to follow, plenty of other homes and clubs were built in the area, which quickly gained traction as a local party scene (though rumors about the illicit activities in the small community sparked raids by law enforcement and drew scrutiny from government officials).

However, Florida being Florida, hurricanes took their toll on the community over the years. Homes would regularly be demolished by major hurricanes, though that didn’t stop some people from rebuilding and trying again.

But trouble began to brew in the late 1970s, which is when state officials considered a plan to gradually withdraw the Stilstville leases. Things only got worse for the Stiltsville residents in 1980, which is when the Biscayne National Park was formally established.

The part of Biscayne Bay where these structures stood was eventually absorbed into the park, which prompted eviction notices for those living in Stiltsville. They were faced with two options: take down their homes and leave, or Park Services would take action to force the issue.

Despite the residents’ best efforts to push back against these changes, the NPS confirmed that the remaining homes would be demolished after 1999.

The issue became hotly contested, with activists pushing both for and against Stiltsville’s removal. Some argued for its historical significance, while others pointed to environmental concerns and the community’s associations with criminal activities.

After years of debate that reached as high far as the U.S. Congress, it was ultimately decided in 2003 that Stiltsville would stay.

The catch? These structures are no longer allowed to be used as private homes. Instead, the Stiltsville Trust was formed to help maintain the remaining structures and provide public access.

Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and a fire a few years ago, only six of these buildings remain. They are as follows:

• Baldwin House

• Jimmy Ellenburg House

• Bay Chateau

• Hicks House

• A-Frame House

• Powerboat Club

If you want to head out to these homes yourself, you’ll have to get a permit to do so. To request a permit, you can visit the Stiltsville Trust’s website here.

You can also read up on other strange locations and stories across the Sunshine State by heading to News 6′s Florida Fables page here.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: