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

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 are Free, and hours are 11:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Wednesday thru Sunday (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) as well as open additional hours for special events like Country Markets, Full Moon events and more (see event for specific hours and details). The Lighthouse Tower is open for climbs during our daytime hours, weather permitting, with a cost of $6.00 for adults (age 13+) and $3.00 for youth (5-12 yrs). All climbers must be 44 inches tall. Discount available for veterans and first responders.

The highlight of the Keeper's House Museum is the lighthouse's original Fourth Order Fresnel 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.

Country Farmer’s Market & Smartphone Photography

The Crooked River Lighthouse will host our Country Farmers Market on Saturday, June 7, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm ET at the foot of Carrabelle's historic lighthouse, followed by our first Smartphone Photography Class at 1:00 pm.

This outdoor market is the perfect opportunity to shop small and shop local for a variety of unique goods while supporting area vendors, artists, bakers, artisans and crafters. The lighthouse is located at 1975 Hwy 98 West, Carrabelle, FL. The Country Market features an ever changing variety of locally sourced and handcrafted items. Shoppers may find organic farm-fresh produce, artisan breads, delicious cinnamon rolls, grass-fed beef, handmade totes, assorted jellies, stunning art and decor, fresh eggs, batch-roasted coffee, locally handcrafted jewelry, balms and sprays, unique t-shirts, hot sauces, salsa, plants and more.

This June 7, immediately following the Market, a Smartphone Photography Class will be offered by Dave Stahler, a regular vendor at the Country Market. Dave has been a commercial and industrial photographer for over 40 years. He will share tips and tricks to get the best photos on a smartphone and will cover composition and outdoor landscape lighting, the two main ingredients of good photography with any camera. Classes begin June 7 and will be held at Carrabelle’s lighthouse on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 1:00 pm, right after the Market. Each class will last about 90 minutes. Cost is $25 per person and includes time in the classroom as well as on location. Attendees will pay at the door. Participants can sign up at www.DavidStahler.com or by emailing David.Stahler@icloud.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY MARKETS

Photo courtesy of David Zapatka of the United States Lighthouse Society and his USA Stars & Lights project to document as many lighthouses at night as possible.

At dusk on December 8, 2007, over 240 people watched as the newly refurbished Crooked River Lighthouse was re-lit with an acrylic replica of the tower’s original Fresnel lens and the lighthouse began serving as an aid to navigation once again. The lighthouse was relit with its original light pattern. Our original historic Fresnel lens is on display inside the Keeper's House Museum at the Crooked River Lighthouse.

TODAY YOU CAN COME SEE BOTH!

History of the Restoration of Crooked River Lighthouse:

In 1995, the Crooked River Lighthouse was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard and in 1999 there were plans to surplus the lighthouse and auction it off to the highest bidder! In response a dedicated group of local citizens formed the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association (CLA) 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 safely deeded to the City. The CLA then successfully raised money through fundraisers and grants to beautifully restore this historic treasure of Florida's "Forgotten Coast".
In 2007, an acrylic replica of the original glass Fresnel lens was installed and on December 8 in 2007, the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association successfully re-lit with the Crooked River Lighthouse with its original light pattern.

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.

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. . .

Home of the Crooked River Lighthouse and the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association

Fresnel Lens Exhibit

Visit Us

Country Markets

1st & 3rd Saturdays

MOONLIT EVENING EVENTS

June 10 w/ Chamber Social

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

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP