CARRABELLE HISTORIC CITY HALL

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.