Dog Island Light

July 23, 2019
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Dog Island Light, Dog Island, south of Carrabelle, Florida

First established in 1839, destroyed by a hurricane in 1873 (replaced by the Crooked River Light)

DOG ISLAND LIGHT

Location: NORTHWEST FLORIDA, GULF OF MEXICO FLORIDA
Station Established: 1839
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1873
Operational? NO
Automated? NO
Deactivated: 1873
Foundation Materials: N/A
Construction Materials: BRICK
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: N/A
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE 
Original Lens: N/A

Historical Information:

  • The light on Dog Island was built on the western tip of the island in 1838. It marked the middle entrance to St. George’s Sound. 
  • The light was first light in 1839. It was the first known permanent home on the island.
  • The 1838 light was badly damaged in a hurricane in October 1842. Until the tower could be rebuilt, a temporary wooden tower was built. The temporary tower was built by Winslow Lewis. The wooden tower was destroyed in a hurricane in 1851.
  • A 40-foot brick tower was built to replace the wooden tower. This light was destroyed in 1873. The light was replaced by the Crooked River Light. 
  • The remains of the Dog Island Light have been recently located underwater.

Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.