Isaac Moody

Isaac I. Moody Jr. (October 27, 1874 – December 17, 1918) was born in Appling County, Georgia, and in the early 1890s moved to St. Johns County, Florida, where he first worked in the turpentine business as a woods rider near present-day Bunnell, Florida. He ventured into various businesses including turpentine, shingle milling, real estate and banking. After getting into politics he quickly gained local and statewide influence and was instrumental in the establishment of Flagler County, Florida, in 1917. He became a 32nd degree Mason (both Scottish and York rites), and was elected as Worshipful Master of the Bunnell Lodge No. 200 in 1918. Moody was also a member of the Morocco Temple of Shriners at Jacksonville, FL. Today, he is remembered as the "Father of Flagler County."

Business ventures

Moody formed a partnership in 1903 with James Frank "Major" Lambert (1862–1938), whom he met while working in the turpentine business, and together they purchased a shingle mill in Bunnell Stop (a rail stop which later became the city of Bunnell, Florida) from Fairhead and Strawn of Jacksonville, Florida. Two years later they purchased 30,000 acres of land around Bunnell and built homes and a turpentine still. Moody became the postmaster in Bunnell after a new post office was built.

In 1909, the Bunnell Development Company was chartered and Isaac I. Moody became its president; Claude E. Stewart of Jacksonville, vice president; J. R. Stone of Jacksonville, 2nd vice president; and James Frank Lambert, secretary and treasurer. All obtained equal ownership with each getting 25 shares of the venture.

The Bunnell Development Company started an advertising campaign aimed at people in the northeastern United States and placed ads in northern newspapers. An office was established in Chicago. They sectioned off ten- and twenty-acre tracts of land and transported people to the area for personal visits via the Florida East Coast Railway started by Flagler County's namesake Henry M. Flagler (1830–1913).

The town of Bunnell was chartered in 1913 and Issac I. Moody was appointed as a Councilman. In 1913, Moody was re-elected as President of the Bunnell State Bank.

Political career

Moody held several political offices: Councilman for the Town of Bunnell (took office in 1913); County Commissioner for St. Johns County (District No. 3 - took office in 1911); Chairman of the Board for St. Johns County (elected in 1912, and re-elected in 1916); and was Flagler County's first State Representative (appointed in 1918). The Moody Boat Launch is located at 825 Moody Lane in Flagler Beach on the eastern side of the Intracoastal Waterway and south of State Road 100. This boat launch park allows access to the Intracoastal Waterway, fishing from its pier and has picnic areas.