SPRING MEETING

 CROOKED RIVER LIGHTHOUSE 

            June 6 & 7, 2014

Carrabelle is home to the Crooked River Lighthouse, which was built in 1895 as a replacement for the Dog Island Lighthouse which was destroyed by the “Great Storm” in September 1873. The Lighthouse is located about 2 miles west of Carrabelle on US-98. As you drive west on US 98 from Carrabelle, the Gulf is on the south and wooded areas to the north.  IT IS EASY TO MISS THE LIGHTHOUSE (I SPEAK FROM EXPEIENCE!), look for the sign inserted at the right.  A 1987 book “Guide to Florida Lighthouses” did not list the Crooked River Lighthouse at all, and in 2008 the author of the book “Florida Fabulous Lighthouses” called it the least-known Lighthouse in Florida.

The Crooked River Lighthouse is a steel skeletal tower constructed of cement and iron. It is 103 feet high with 138 steps. The light was deactivated on May 24, 1994, and in 1999 the Coast Guard had plans to surplus and auction the Lighthouse to the highest bidder. The Carrabelle Lighthouse Association was formed, and through their efforts the lighthouse was turned over to the City. Since then the Lighthouse has been restored and established as a private aid to navigation

The meeting will begin Friday June 6 at 6 PM with the FLA Board meeting at the old restaurant above the C-Quarters Marina located at 501 HWY 98. MAP  with the Social following from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. On Saturday the membership meeting, starting at 9 AM will be in the same location. The Guest Speaker has yet to be determined, and will be announced later.

Lunch will be your choice of one (1) of the following: 1) Fried Seafood Platter consisting of Grouper, Shrimp, Oysters and Deviled Crab with Coleslaw, Baked Potato Hush Puppies and Tea, 2) Rib Dinner – Hickory Smoked Country Style Ribs, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Texas Toast and Tea or 3) a Vegetarian meal. Key Lime Pie will be the dessert.  After the meeting we will visit the Crooked River Lighthouse, located at 1975 HWY 98 W MAP.

Cost for this meeting will be $60 for FLA members and $85 for non-FLA members (Includes a 1 year membership in FLA). This cost includes food, wine & sodas at the Friday night Social, coffee and donuts, Danish, or something along those lines Saturday morning, lunch and the Crooked River Lighthouse.

Lodging in Carrabelle is  very limited, so book your room early. The following places have rooms set aside for FLA until 6 May, 2014;

Franklin Inn at Carrabelle (12 Non-smoking Rooms, 7 Smoking Rooms) MAP

 1598 HWY 98 W

Carrabelle, FL, 32322

850 697-4000

Rate 65.39 + tax

The Moorings at Carrabelle (6 King Rooms) MAP the Moorings

1000 HWY 98

Carrabelle, FL, 32322

850 697-2800

Rate $71.95 + Tax

RV Park at Carrabelle Beach MAP RV Park @ Carrabelle Beach

!843 HWY 98 W

Carrabelle, FL, 32322

850 697-2638

Rate – Cottages - $179 for a cottage that sleeps 6 (2 queen Beds & Queen Sofa), $ 160 for a cottage that sleeps 4 (king bed & Queen Sofa); also, there is a $ 50 cleaning fee.

 Thanks to a suggestion from Kathy Swaggerty of Carrabelle I am adding another lodging location for this meeting.

St. James Bay Map St James Bay (About 7 miles east of Carrabelle off of Hwy 98)

151 Laughing Gull Lane

Carrabelle, FL, 32322

850 697-9606

Rate – Clubhouse Villas $110, 2BR/2BA Condominium $162.50, 3BR/3BA Condominium $212.50, all plus tax.

In addition, there is a Best Western about 45 miles east of Carrabelle on Hwy 98

Best Western Map  Best Western

292 Coastal Highway 98

Crawfordville, FL, 32327

850 926-3737

Here are some links for things to do in Carrabelle, Apalachicola and Franklin County

Carrabelle, Apalachicola, Franklin County 

The connection to the 6 June dates: (scroll down) 

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A short distance east of the Lighthouse is Carrabelle Beach, which is one of the places that were used to train our troops for the Normandy invasion.