Crooked River Light facts for kids
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| Crooked River Light | |
 Crooked River Light
Carrabelle Location in Florida
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| Location | Carrabelle Florida United States |
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| Coordinates | 29°49′39″N 84°42′04″W / 29.82750°N 84.70111°W |
| Year first constructed | 1895 |
| Automated | 1965 |
| Deactivated | 1995-2007 |
| Foundation | concrete base |
| Construction | wrought iron skeletal tower |
| Tower shape | square pyramidal skeletal tower with central cylinder, balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white lower half tower, red upper half tower, black lantern |
| Height | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Focal height | 115 feet (35 m) |
| Original lens | fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (2) W 15s. |
| Admiralty number | J3314 |
| ARLHS number | USA-205 |
| USCG number | 4-0010 |
The Crooked River Light, also known as the Carrabelle Light, is a historic lighthouse in Carrabelle, Florida. It was built in 1895 to help guide ships safely through the waters near Dog Island. This lighthouse was especially important for ships carrying lumber, helping them find their way into the channel. It also served as a "range light," which means it helped ships line up correctly to navigate a tricky part of the waterway.
History of the Crooked River Lighthouse
The Crooked River Lighthouse was built in 1895. It replaced three older lighthouses on Dog Island. These earlier lighthouses had been destroyed by strong storms over the years.
When it was first built, the lighthouse area included homes. There was a house for the main lighthouse keeper and another for the assistant keeper. There were also several smaller buildings.
How the Lighthouse Looked
At first, the lighthouse was painted a solid dark red. Only its top lantern room was black. But by the end of 1901, its look changed. The lower half of the tower was painted white. This made it stand out more against the green pine trees around it. Today, the lighthouse still has this same look: a white lower half, a red upper half, and a black lantern room.
Modern Changes and Restoration
In 1933, the lighthouse was updated with electricity. Then, in 1952, it became "automated." This meant it could run on its own without a keeper living there. Because of this, the two houses and other buildings were sold and moved away in 1964.
The original lens, called a "4th Order lens," was taken out in 1976. It was replaced with a newer, modern light. The lighthouse continued to operate until 1995, when it was officially stopped from guiding ships.
In 1999, a group called the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association was formed. Their goal was to fix up the lighthouse and open it for people to visit. They worked hard from 2007 to 2009. They even put in a new lens, which is a copy of the original glass lens. Now, the Crooked River Lighthouse once again helps guide boats, and visitors can climb to the top!
