Home of the Crooked River Lighthouse and the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association

The Lighthouse Tower, built on its current site in 1895 and restored in 2007, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This iron skeleton structure is topped with a circular parapet which provides great viewing for those adventurous enough to climb its 128 inside steps which are open to the public. The historic 103-foot lighthouse is the tallest on the Forgotten Coast. 

Admission to the Museum and Park Grounds is Free, and hours are Wednesday thru Friday from 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum and Tower will be closed Christmas Day. The Lighthouse Tower is open for climbs, weather permitting, with a cost of $5.00 for adults (age 17+), $3.00 for youth (6-16 yrs), and free for children (6 & under). All climbers must be 44 inches tall.

The highlight of the Keeper's House Museum is the lighthouse's original Fourth Order Fresnel (pronounced fra-NEL) lens fabricated in 1894 in Paris, France. This unique lens is a rare, bi-valve open face design featuring a 90 degree group flash and is made of brass and glass prism rings.  Other exhibits include a historical setting of the early 1900’s, examples of lighthouse beacons through the years, and the methods of constructing a skeletal tower lighthouse.  Everyday life objects are seen in the Keeper’s room, including the Lighthouse's original clock, a barometer, an antique glass fire grenade, pages from the Lighthouse Keeper’s watch book, currency and much more.

The CRLH Gift Shop is full of wonderful nautical-themed gifts including art, jewelry, home decor, apparel, toys, and souvenirs for both children and adults.

Surrounding the lighthouse is Crooked River Lighthouse Park, a publicly owned historic and natural resource conservation site with outdoor recreation area. It is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Explore the Carrabelle Lighthouse Museum located in Carrabelle, Florida with host Trinity Hardy.

DONATE TO CRLA



Funded in part by
the Franklin County TDC
floridasforgottencoast.com

Programs, News, Events, and More . . .

 

COUNTRY MARKET & EASTER EGG HUNT IN CARRABELLE

The Crooked River Lighthouse is hosting its outdoor Country Market on Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at 1975 Hwy 98 West, Carrabelle, FL at the foot of Carrabelle’s lighthouse. Special for this Saturday’s coastal market, an Easter Egg Hunt will start at 11:00 am.

The open-air Country Market will, as always, feature local vendors with gifts and goodies like farm fresh produce, grass fed beef, delicious baked goods including cinnamon rolls, artisan breads, and cookies, plus batch roasted coffee, gorgeous art, handcrafted balms and soaps, and handmade goods and craft items. The Country Markets are held in Crooked River Lighthouse Park every 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays.

Guests can also visit the free Keeper’s House Museum to see the brand new exhibit featuring the historic Fresnel lens and browse inside the Lighthouse Gift Shop for unique, nautical-themed holiday gifts. In addition, visitors have the unique opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the Bay for a small fee.

The Market is actively recruiting new and returning vendors. Vendors may sign up at any time. The cost to be a vendor is $10 a market. For more information, contact 850-697-2732, carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com or www.crookedriverlighthouse.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Country Markets

1st, 3rd & 5th Saturdays

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IN THE GIFT SHOP

Cool New T-shirts

BUY NOW FROM OUR ONLINE SHOP

FULL MOON EVENTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

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PAVE THE PATHWAYS . . .WITH A CUSTOM ENGRAVED BRICK!

Support our ongoing efforts to maintain the Crooked River Lighthouse Park by purchasing a custom engraved brick paver to be placed in front of the lighthouse tower door. Honor a loved on with a permanent tribute or highlight your business, give congratulations or simply share a favorite saying.

PURCHASE ONLINE HERE

8" x 4" BRICK $40

8" x 8" BRICK $60 

12" x 12" BRICK $80

ADD CLIPART TO ANY SIZE BRICK FOR $6 

COMING SOON . . .

More progress is happening on the Pirate Ship! As people start to see the reality of the ship being built, enthusiastic ideas for a name have been rolling in - from Carrabella II (after our first pirate ship), to Le Tigre (after a real local shipwreck) to the Forgotten Phoenix (rising from the ashes).
STAY TUNED FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW SHIP'S NAME IN 2023!  

This long-awaited Pirate Ship is the replacement to the Carrabella Pirate Ship that heartbreakingly burned down in 2015. A combination of funds received from generous individual and business donors, the insurance settlement, the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, and plays and fundraisers like the Crab Cake Cook-Off have raised $60,000 to replace the pirate ship. With the support of many local businesses donating their services and goods, the new Pirate Ship is well underway. The new Pirate Ship, like its predecessor, will have two uses for our community – provide recreational/playground equipment for children of all ages and act as a backdrop for plays and musical performances.

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CARRABELLE LIGHTHOUSE ASSOCIATION

In 1999 the U.S. Coast Guard had plans to surplus the Crooked River Lighthouse and auction it off to the highest bidder. It was at this time that the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association, Inc. (CLA) was formed by a dedicated group of local citizens with the goal of preserving, restoring, and opening the lighthouse to the public. In August 2001 the CLA, in conjunction with the City of Carrabelle, was successful in having the Lighthouse deeded to the City through the Federal Lands to Parks program. Since that time the CLA and City officials have worked to obtain funding for the restoration of this historic treasure of Florida's "Forgotten Coast."

Today, the CLA's members are devoted to the worthy cause of restoring this small piece of maritime history. Through its efforts, the CLA has received funds from the Florida Lighthouse Association, the Florida Communities Trust, and the Florida Legislature. These funds have made possible the restoration of the lighthouse and improvements to the land surrounding the lighthouse. If you would like to help continue the work of maintaining the Crooked River Lighthouse, please join the CLA or make a tax deductible donation today. CLA, P.O. BOX 373 Carrabelle, FL 32322.

*The Carrabelle Lighthouse Association is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. 

OUR OFFICERS

President Steven Allen
Executive Vice-President Lori Gilbertson
Treasurer Missy Cumbie
Grounds and Park Keeper Chip Klaus
Safety/Lens Op Keeper Tim Keith-Lucas
Historians John Canetta and Rodney Reeves
Past President Delores Hardin
Charter Member Barbara Revell
Media and PR Sheri Wesson
Curator Joan Matey
Gift Shop Attendants
Eva Gombas, Lori Gilbertson

MEMBERS SHINE A LIGHT!

Help protect, preserve and restore our lighthouse's heritage. 

Join us or Renew  WITH THIS FORM

KEEPER’S INDIVIDUAL $20
KEEPER’S FAMILY $30
KEEPER'S BEACON $100
GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT $250

VOLUNTEERS SHINE THE WAY!

Visit our Members & Volunteers page to see how you can help.

Volunteering Opportunities

  • Full Moon Events, (Greeters, Firepit Attendants, assisting lighthouse climbs with Pagers)
  • Assist at Country Market (help Vendors set-up, directing visitors)
  • Park Grounds Beautification: pick up branches, pine cones, pull weeds, etc. Not to mention great exercise!
  • Gardening – help maintain, pull weeds, assist Country Market produce sales
  • Maintenance of Keeper’s House: Clean, sweep or pressure wash porch; minor repairs inside & out
  • Assist in Gift Shop and Museum; office/inside chores
    and many more. . .