Durney Key and the stilt houses

Durney Key sits off of Port Richey near the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River. The island is owned by the state of Florida but is not a park. Surrounding the island is eight privately owned stilt houses. The houses date back to 1916-1918 when local fishermen built them to store fish and seek shelter. At one point there were thought to have been 24 stilt homes. No new houses can be built, and the state legislature owns the leases. The structures can only be repaired and are unfortunately not for rent.