Ten Best City Flags in the United States

Cities generally adopt official flags to show pride and to serve as a symbol of the city. The majority of flags were designed to symbolize some particular aspect of the area that is important to the city.

In 2004, the North American Vexillological Association, NAVA, conducted The American City Flag Survey. The poll was intended to rate the flag designs of 150 U.S. cities. Following are the top ten city flags in the United States according to the 2004 survey:

1.         Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) is a federal district and the Capital of the United States. Federal government operations were moved to the city in 1801. Although several different banners were displayed over the years, D.C. did not adopt an official flag until 1938. The flag design was based on George Washington’s coat of arms.

Read more about the history of Washington D.C.'s city flag on our blog.

2.         Chicago, Illinois

Chicago was founded in 1833. It adopted an official city flag in 1917. The flag was redesigned to add a star in 1933, and again in 1939. The following meanings have been assigned to the design by legend:

• ·         Stripes: The white stripes represent the North, South and West sides of the city.
• ·         First Star: Fort Dearborn.
• ·         Second Star: The great Chicago fire of 1871. The six points represent
• ·         Third Star: The 1893 World Columbia Exposition
• ·         Fourth Star: The 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition.
• ·         Top Blue Stripe: Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, north branch
• ·         Bottom Blue Stripe: Chicago River, south branch, and the Great Canal.

Read more about the history of Chicago's city flag on our blog.

3.         Denver, Colorado

Denver was founded in 1858. The city adopted an official city flag in 1926. The following meanings were assigned to the flag:

• ·         Centered Circles: The city’s central location in the state.
• ·         Red: The color of the earth – the definition of the word Colorado is “having color”.
• ·         Yellow: Gold in the hills of the state.
• ·         White Zigzag: The state’s Native American heritage.

Read more about the history of Denver's city flag on our blog.

4.         Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix was incorporated in 1881. It adopted its first official flag in 1921, and adopted the current, redesigned city flag in 1990. The meanings of the flag features, some by legend, are described as follows:

• ·         Phoenix: The mythological bird is the official logo of Phoenix
• ·         Purple: The real reason is unknown, but it has been said that the word Phoenix meant the color purple in ancient Greek.

Read more about the history of Phoenix's city flag on our blog.

5.         St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis became a part of the United States under the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The boundaries of the city were established in 1876, and the current city flag was adopted in 1964. The meanings assigned to the flag features are as follows:

• ·         Colors: Spain – red, yellow and gold, Bourbon France – white and gold, Napoleonic and Republican France – blue, white and red, and U.S. – red, white and blue.
• ·         Fleur-de-lis: The cities French background, and the person the city was named for, St. Louis of France.
• ·         Golden Disk: The city or the Louisiana Purchase.
• ·         Wavy Bars: The confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

Read more about the history of St. Louis' city flag on our blog.

6.         Wichita, Kansas

Wichita was incorporated in 1870. The mayor of Wichita, T. Walker Weaver, issued a proclamation in 1937 establishing an official city flag. The meanings assigned to the features of the flag are as follows:

The meanings assigned to the flag design are said to be the following:

• ·         Blue: Faithfulness, happiness and contentment
• ·         Native-American sun design inside blue orb: Permanent Home
• ·         Red Rays: Honor and virtue
• ·         White Rays: Courage
• ·         Red and White Rays: Paths to freedom

Read more about the history of Wichita's city flag on our blog.

7.         Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon was incorporated in 1851. The city adopted an official city flag in 1970. The current revised design was adopted in 2002. The meanings assigned to the features of the flag are as follows:

• ·         Blue lines: The Williamette and Columbia rivers
• ·         Four pointed star: The city
• ·         Gold borders: Commerce, and growing grain along the river banks
• ·         Green field: Forests
• ·         White stripes: Included for decorative purposes

Read more about the history of Portland's city flag on our blog.

8.         Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis was founded in 1816, and incorporated in 1847. The city adopted an official city flag in May, 1915. The current redesigned flag was officially adopted in 1963. The meanings assigned to its features are as follows:

• ·         Dark Blue Quadrants – The city’s residential areas
• ·         Red – Driving urge for progress
• ·         Star – Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument
• ·         Stars Central Location – The city’s status as capital of Indiana
• ·         White Circle with Red Field – Monument Circle (where the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument is located in the downtown area)
• ·         White Stripes – Vertical: North and South Meridian Streets; Horizontal: East and West Market Streets (The city’s main downtown streets). It is also said to represent its unofficial motto “Crossroads of America”

Read more about the history of Indianapolis' city flag on our blog.

9.         Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville was founded in 1778. The city adopted its first official flag in 1949. The meanings assigned to the flag include:

• ·         13 Stars: The original 13 states that existed when Louisville was founded.

• ·         Fleur de Lis: In honor of King Louis XVI. The fleur de Lis traditionally represents French royalty.

Read more about the history of Louisville's city flag on our blog.

10.       Corpus Christi, Texas

Corpus Christi was incorporated in 1852. The city adopted an official city flag in 1953. The meanings assigned to its features include:

• ·         Blue field: Represents Corpus Christi Bay
• ·         Seagull:  Represents people in the city, including residents and visitors
• ·         Stars: The eight stars represent the eight major industries. It is noted that as the city grows, those industries could change, but was given as agriculture, commerce, oil and chemicals, ore and metal refineries, fishing and seafood, the naval airbase, and the Port of Corpus Christi.

Read more about the history of Corpus Christi's city flag on our blog.

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