This Tiny Police Station in Florida Is One of the Best Road Trip Stops You’ve Never Considered

Police stations certainly serve their purpose, but they aren't necessarily considered road-trip-worthy. That is, of course, unless we're talking about the World's Smallest Police Station, in which case, you should absolutely load up the car and go. Many road trip stops claim lofty superlatives—smallest, biggest, tallest—but this tiny, unexpected Carrabelle attraction does not exaggerate. Learn more about why it might just be one of the best road trip stops in Florida.

Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour

The history of this unexpected road trip stop in Florida is downright fascinating. Over 60 years ago, the city became aware of a surprising issue: tourists were using the police phone to make unauthorized long-distance phone calls. The phone, tucked away in a call box that was bolted to a building near Tallahassee Street, was eventually moved to another building. But the illegal calls continued.

St. Joe Telephone Company's Carabella employee, Johnnie Mirabella, noticed police officers getting drenched out in the rain when they needed to make phone calls. So when the telephone company decided to update the police phone outside of Burda’s Pharmacy, an opportunity arose to solve two problems at once. A police phone was installed in the old phone booth, which was then moved to its current location on U.S. 98. Despite being an official police phone, illegal long-distance calls were still being made. The dial was removed from the phone, and a completely unexpected tourist attraction was born.

What Makes It So Unexpected

It would be all too easy to drive by the World's Smallest Police Station, but you'd really be missing out on a fantastic road trip stop—and photo op! Knowing its history, it's a bit absurd to imagine any official police calls being done here, but for a time, that's exactly what happened. Plus, this attraction isn't heavily advertised, giving it an authentic and lovably quirky appeal. So many of Florida's best-known attractions are over-the-top, making this tiny stand fly way under the radar.

What to See and Do Here

Of course, the World's Smallest Police Station is only one of many things to uncover in the small community of Carrabelle. Set amidst stunning Gulf Coast scenery, it's the kind of laid-back town that invites you to stop and stay while. Some other fun things to do in Carrabelle include a visit to the Crooked River Lighthouse, which dates back to 1895. You can even climb to the top for sweeping views of the picturesque marshes and coastline.

Speaking of history, the Carrabelle History Museum is another must for those intrigued by what's been deemed Florida's "Forgotten Coast." The museum covers everything from Indigenous history to local shipwrecks. When you're ready for a bite to eat, stop by SOS Galley for amazing truffle fries and crab cakes—you can thank us later!

So, what do you think? Will you be embarking on a road trip to one of the best road trip stops in Florida? If so, be sure to share this article with a fellow adventure seeker and let the planning begin! Looking for related content? Here's our list of the 10 best road trips in Florida. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip through Florida using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.