“…I remember very vividly that there was a sign on the Flagler Beach Bridge that said, ‘No Blacks after sundown.’”— Ralph Abraham, Flagler Beach

The Moody Bridge is only a few hundred yards long. Drivers cross it in less than a minute, rarely giving it a second thought. But for generations of Flagler County residents, that short span marked a boundary far greater than water. It divided communities, shaped lives, and determined where some people felt welcome—and where others did not. Today, the bridge has become the inspiration for Both Sides of the Bridge, an oral history project preserving memories of a chapter of Flagler County’s past that has too often gone untold.

Visit a local museum and you’ll find stories of pioneers, railroads, farming and the county’s early development. Yet one important part of that history has remained largely absent: the lives and contributions of Black families in Flagler County.

“…This is supposed to be the history of what happened in Flagler County, but it’s like there’s no history of Black people.”— Annie Johnson, Bunnell

Although they helped build the community, worked its farms and businesses, raised generations of families, and shaped Flagler County’s cultural life, their stories have too often gone undocumented in public collections. Instead, they survived in family memories, churches and conversations passed from one generation to the next.

Recognizing that many of those memories could soon be lost, Seeking Insights for Solutions (SIS) Inc., a volunteer-led nonprofit, launched Both Sides of the Bridge in partnership with the Flagler County Historical Society and the Flagler Beach Museum. Since 2023, the project co-chairs, Jackie Rector and Cynthia Dodzik and their committee have invited longtime residents to share what life was really like growing up on opposite sides of the Moody Bridge.

Their stories paint a picture that is both deeply personal and unmistakably American.

Residents remember where they attended school, worshipped, shopped, worked and gathered with friends. They recall the daily realities of segregation, the limits imposed by discrimination and the resilience required to navigate both.

“We had to go down US1 to Old Dixie Highway through High Bridge to come out to A1A and the name of the beach was Cobbs Corner and that’s where all the Blacks went—to Cobbs Corner. But we did not go through Flagler Beach.”— Larry Jones, Bunnell

Some memories are difficult to hear, including accounts of racial exclusion and reports of sundown restrictions. Others celebrate close-knit neighborhoods, devoted families, thriving churches, and communities that found strength and joy despite the obstacles they faced. Together, these voices reveal a richer and more complete history than any textbook or museum exhibit could capture.

Rather than dwelling on division, Both Sides of the Bridge seeks understanding. By preserving the memories of both Black and white residents, the project offers a fuller portrait of Flagler County and reminds us that history is never complete until everyone who lived it has a chance to speak.

Participants share their stories in their own words using established oral history methods, preserving not only historical events but also the emotions, traditions, humor and everyday experiences that rarely appear in written records. Along the way, interviews uncovered surprising local stories and inspired plans for a documentary that will bring these memories to an even wider audience.

Support from Florida Humanities, through a grant led by the African American Cultural Society for Voices of Memory: From Both Sides of the Bridge, has made possible a 10-minute documentary, the first step toward a feature-length film SIS hopes to complete. The documentary will become part of the permanent collections of Flagler County museums, ensuring these stories remain accessible for future generations.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Additional support is provided by the Jacarlene Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, or the Jacarlene Foundation.

For more information or to support this project, please visit: givebutter.com/both-sides-of-the-bridge-donations-dy6bie