Carrabelle in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Carrabelle Historic City Hall
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2025
1. Carrabelle Historic City Hall Marker
In 1938, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed construction of the Carrabelle city hall building. At the time of its dedication, it was a state-of-the-art facility for a community of its size. The mayor's office, water department, police, and jail were on the first floor. The jail cells were small, steel-lattice cages, a design more typically used for ships' brigs. The Justice of the Peace Court and City Commission held meetings in the large room on the second floor. During World War II, the USO held dances in that chamber for soldiers at Camp Gordon Johnston. In 2002, the city renamed the building for Marvin N. Justiss, the local brick mason who crafted the bricks and 62-pound concrete blocks that make up the structure. For 70 years, this building served as Carrabelle City Hall until governmental operations moved in 2008. During that time, Carrabelle grew from a busy maritime port to an Army Camp community to a commercial port for seafood and sport fishing. Many of the debates and decisions that guided those changes took place here.
Erected 2023 by Carrabelle History Museum, Carrabelle Historical Society, The City of Carrabelle, and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1255.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
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Location. 29° 51.024′ N, 84° 39.856′ W. Marker is in Carrabelle, Florida, in Franklin County. It is on Southeast Avenue B just east of Marine Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the Carrabelle History Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Southeast Avenue B, Carrabelle FL 32322, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Original Old Carrabelle School Bell (here, next to this marker); Marvin N. Justiss Building (here, next to this marker); Georgia Florida & Alabama Railroad (here, next to this marker); The Legend of Tate's Hell (a few steps from this marker); Carrabelle Town Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's Smallest Police Station (about 500 feet away); A Coastal Gem (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Boom to Bust... and Back Again! (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carrabelle.
Related markers.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2025
2. Carrabelle Historic City Hall Marker
Also see . . . Carrabelle History Museum.
The museum is in the Old Carrabelle City Hall, built by local mason Marvin Justiss in 1938 during the Depression as a work program to employ locals. The museum has two floors of exhibit rooms and areas to show collections with a large foyer for special displays. We have several exhibits that highlight the Shipwrecks of Dog Island; Carrabelles Heroes & Notables; the story of Tates Hell Swamp; the Steamship Tarpon, which was key to building our community in the early 1900's; and Carrabelle's "First People", Indigenous people who lived here thousands of years ago.(Submitted on June 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2025
3. Carrabelle Historic City Hall Marker
The back side of the marker is identical to the front side.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2025
4. Carrabelle History Museum
The marker is located directly in front of the subject building. This building is now home to the Carrabelle History Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
