In 1904, George Moody made the journey from Baxley, Georgia, to Florida to join his brother, Issac I. Moody Jr., in the turpentine industry. Initially residing in Indian Springs, Volusia County, he later moved to Flagler County, where his brother, along with two other entrepreneurs, established the Bunnell Development Company. It was in Bunnell that George Moody played a significant role in constructing one of the city’s earliest homes.
In 1913, George applied for a homestead on 169 acres of land, stretching along one mile of ocean frontage and reaching into the marshlands, marking the inception of Ocean City, the precursor to Flagler Beach. George Moody was instrumental in the city’s early residential development and played a pivotal role in the construction of the Ocean Beach Casino in 1916.
Tragically, Issac passed away in December 1918 while serving as Flagler County’s inaugural state representative. Following his demise, Major James Frank Lambert, a longstanding business partner, assumed the presidency of the Bunnell Development Company in January 1919. George Moody took on the roles of secretary and treasurer. Concurrently, he was elected vice president of the Bunnell State Bank and assumed the presidency of both the Alma, Georgia State Bank, and the Baxley, Georgia State Bank in the same month.
In 1921, George Moody assumed the position of president for the Ocean City Improvement Company. The company’s charter outlined its mission to “develop Ocean City Beach by building streets and sidewalks, cottages and other dwellings, hotels, installing light and water plants, constructing parks, causeways, lakes, and other enhancements for the beautification of one of the finest townsites along the east coast of Florida,” as per the Flagler County Historical Society.
As Ocean City evolved into Flagler Beach in 1925, George Moody was elected as the city’s mayor. He also served as a member of the inaugural Flagler County Commission, appointed to the position in 1917 by Governor Sidney J. Catts, holding the office until 1921. George Moody continued his dedicated service on the County Commission, serving four additional terms until 1943. George Moody passed away on October 23, 1967, and was laid to rest in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Florida.
Photojournalist: • David Bulit
Source: www.abandonedfl.com