- April 19, 2024
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Former Flagler County Historical Society President Diane Marquis holds up a past photo of the Old Brick Road. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
The ribbon cutting brought together locals who celebrated the fact the Old Brick Road will be protected and preserved. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Some of the Old Brick Road shows, despite asphalt having been laid over the old bricks. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
The City of Bunnell held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly stated act that protects and preserves the Old Brick Road behind O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, on Thursday, July 13, in Bunnell.
The City Commission unanimously voted to preserve and protect the Old Brick Road located on North Railroad Street. Behind O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Several government leaders, including Mayor Catherine Robinson, Chief of Police Tom Foster and City Manager Dan Davis, hosted the event, and other locals — mostly from the Flagler County Historical Society — attended the event and provided personal memories of the historic road.
“I remember different, assorted places throughout the community — because I was raised here — that are not here anymore,” Robinson said, “and that’s a sad commentary for our future and our children to learn from our past.”
“Flagler County has the last remaining link to this road. It deserves to be preserved.”
DIANE MARQUIS
Robinson also shared how a previous city manager wanted to develop the property around the brick road, which included the
road, but she had protested the decision, which eventually went in her favor. When the discussion arose again, Davis took Robinson out to the road and asked what should be done with it.
“I said, ‘I have an affinity for this road,’” Robinson said, “and he was able to negotiate with other staff members to be able to preserve the road and still have development.”
Sisco Dean shared a story of him and his sister, Claudia Dean-Malo, living 200 yards north of the famous road.
“We would ride our bicycles to Neoga Lake,” he said, “and, on the way we would have lunch in the middle of the Brick Road. Preservation is very important, and I would like to congratulate Diane for getting this on the national register and the City of Bunnell for saving it.”
fter Robinson was handed the golden scissors to cut the ribbon, she presented them to former President of Flagler County Historical Society Diane Marquis (Mar-kee), who was instrumental in placing the Old Brick Road on the national register of historic places in 2005, who cut the ribbon.
Marquis came to Bunnell in 1969. The former History public school teach has loved history her entire life and has always loved to educate others, as she did about the Old Brick Road to those in attendance at the ribbon cutting.
“It’s a historic road,” Marquis said. “Flagler County has the last remaining link to this road. It deserves to be preserved.”
