Carrabelle in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Marvin N. Justiss Building

"Some say he built half of Carrabelle"

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2018

1. Marvin N. Justiss Building Marker

Inscription. Marvin N. Justiss was born November 16, 1898. He married Thelma Massey in Pensacola, Florida and moved to Carrabelle in 1929. They had one daughter, Virginia Justiss Sanborn. Marvin Justiss came to Carrabelle and began building both homes and commercial buildings. He owned a machine that made both bricks and blocks, and with that machine he made all the blocks to build this building, which was the Carrabelle City Hall until it moved in 2008. This building is now home to the Carrabelle History Museum.

As you look around the Carrabelle downtown district, every building that you see was built by Mr. Justiss with the exception of just a few. At his last count there were over 100 buildings that he had constructed. Marvin N. Justiss lived in Carrabelle from 1929 until he passed away February 23, 1998 just short of being 100 years old.

Erected by Carrabelle History Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list.

Location. 29° 51.025′ N, 84° 39.859′ W. Marker is in Carrabelle, Florida, in Franklin County. Marker is on Avenue B South (Business U.S. 98) east

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of Marine Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted directly on the subject building, just to the left of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle FL 32322, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Legend of Tate's Hell (a few steps from this marker); Carabelle Town Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's Smallest Police Station (about 400 feet away); World War II D-Day Training Site (approx. 2.2 miles away); Camp Gordon Johnston Training Area (approx. 2.3 miles away); Crooked River Lighthouse History (approx. 2.7 miles away); Camp Gordon Johnston (approx. 4.4 miles away); William Augustus Bowles (approx. 13.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carrabelle.

Also see . . . Old Carrabelle City Hall, the Marvin N. Justiss Building. The building is the Old Carrabelle City Hall, the Marvin N. Justiss Building. The City conducted its business here for 75 years. It was named in honor of the local brick mason who created each block and brick with hand-crafted local materials. It was built in 1933 as project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The structure is a two story brick vernacular style of that period. Mr. Justiss is often called the "Father of Carrabelle" since

Marvin N. Justiss Building Marker (<i>wide view; marker mounted on wall, just left of entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2018

2. Marvin N. Justiss Building Marker (wide view; marker mounted on wall, just left of entrance)

he built over 119 businesses and homes throughout the 1930's when the town was rebuilt at its current location after being ravaged by storms and fires. (Submitted on August 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. Uncle Marvin & Aunt Thelma
Both Uncle Marvin and Aunt Thelma loved Carabelle. We use to visit their home and always went to church down the road with Aunt Thelma. My mother (who was uncle Marvin’s niece) just passed away at the age of 84 Aug 7 2023 at home peacefully with family at bedside. Oh how she would have been so proud to see this page.

My grandfather Joseph Capers Justiss was also a brick mason. I’m so very thankful to have come across this page today as me will make a point to take my grandkids to Carabelle to show them uncle Marvin work. God bless you all.
—JoAnn Justiss Kerce’s daughter Deborah Phelps. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted September 4, 2023, by Deborah Phelps of Pelham, Georgia.

Marvin N. Justiss Building (<i>wide view; currently houses the Carrabelle History Museum</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 7, 2018

3. Marvin N. Justiss Building (wide view; currently houses the Carrabelle History Museum)

The museum is located in the Old Carrabelle City Hall built in 1933 as project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) by local mason Marvin Justiss.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.