Crooked River Lighthouse – Managed by the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association (CLA), Crooked River Lighthouse includes a Lighthouse Tower and Keeper's House Museum

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. This historic 103-foot lighthouse is the tallest on the Forgotten Coast. The Crooked River Lighthouse Tower is open for climbs, weather permitting, Wednesday thru Friday from 11:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m, Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost for climbing the lighthouse is $5.00 per person. All climbers must be 44 inches tall.

The Keeper's House Museum and Gift Shop is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission fee for the museum and gift shop. Exhibits include a historical setting of the early 1900’s, examples of beacons and the methods of constructing a skeletal tower lighthouse. Everyday life objects in the Keeper’s Room include its original clock, a barometer, a glass fire grenade, pages from the keeper’s watch book, currency and much more. The gift shop is full of wonderful nautical-themed gifts for both children and adults.

Surrounding the lighthouse, the grounds are known as Crooked River Lighthouse Park. The park is a publicly owned and operated historic and natural resource conservation site and outdoor recreation area. It is typically open daily from dawn to dusk. Special events may also be scheduled during the evenings.

THIS YEAR, Lantern Fest will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19 from 6-10 pm at Crooked River Lighthouse, and will include special evening tower climbs, ancient crafts, enchanting glowing lantern display, museum displays, gift shop, and delicious food and desserts.

Featured on the program will be a remarkably gifted Celtic duo, Aisha Ivey and Stephen Hodges. Aisha Ivey has won the southeast United States Scottish Fiddle Championship for 10 years in a row. Stephen Hodges plays acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, and upright and electric bass in a variety of styles. The performance of lively Celtic tunes will take place under the glow of over a hundred colorful lanterns. Many of the lanterns in the park are one-of-a-kind items that have been handmade at various lantern making workshops over the years.

In addition, the talented Tallahassee Community College Dance Company will dazzle guests on the outdoor stage with their superb choreography, amazing talent and imaginative use of glow-in-the-dark props and illusions. The TCC Dance Company has been inspiring creative dancers for 17 years and the college has an admirable outreach program which enables these students to perform for audiences all over the state. Crooked River Lighthouse is honored that these excellent dancers will be performing at Lantern Fest again this year.

Come revel in this unique birthday party in honor of the 124th birthday of the Crooked River Lighthouse! For more information, please contact (850) 697-2732 or carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. Special thanks to the City of Carrabelle.

On Mother's Day morning in 2015 our beloved pirate ship playground, "Carrabella", was destroyed by fire. It was a favorite place to play for many of our local children, a popular site for pirate themed birthday parties and a very popular place to visit for both children and adults from all over the country. The ship was also the stage and often the inspiration for performances at our fall Lantern Fest. Many people have expressed a desire to help the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association to rebuild the "Carrabella". We have a savings account at our local bank specifically for donations for this effort.

All donations received will go into that account and be used only for restoration of the playground area and the Carrabella. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO DONATE NOW!

Reasons to Volunteer at Crooked River Lighthouse Museum

Volunteers may receive a 10% discount on any items purchased in the gift shop.
Volunteers may reserve the Community Room for meetings of groups with which they are affiliated.
Volunteers, who create quality, saleable, craft items, consistent with our maritime theme, may submit them for consideration for placement in the gift shop. (We are looking for items that will benefit the
museum by producing income.)
Volunteers can climb for free as well as members of their extended family.

photo by April Kennedy Harry

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.

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

WANT TO CLIMB THE TOWER FOR FREE? JOIN THE ASSOCIATION WITH THIS FORM

Membership Levels:
$15 NEW INDIVIDUAL ($12 for annual renewals)
$25 NEW FAMILY ($22 for annual renewals)
$100 BUSINESS | For $250 or more, you will be a GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT

Home of the Crooked River Lighthouse and the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association

Sunset & Full Moon Climb

Lantern Fest 2019

Carrabelle Farmers Market

EXPERIENCE MAGIC AND HISTORY TOGETHER

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Carrabelle Lighthouse Association

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Honor a loved one with a permanent tribute in Crooked River Lighthouse Park.