The flag of San Antonio is the official municipal flag of San Antonio. The sketch of the flag's design, drawn by Spanish–American War veteran William W. Herring, was dated May 28, 1933. The design saw significantly more usage than the official flag, but was never officially adopted until 1976. The current flag is a slightly modified version of Herring's design, most notably removing the text formerly displayed.
Design and symbolism
The flag consists of a white star on top of a two-color background, with blue (officially
fort, but the city's role in the entirety of the Texas Revolution. As for measurements, the star's height is nine-tenths the height of the flag, and the Alamo's height is one-fourth the width of the flag.[1] The flag bears resemblance to several other city flags of Texas, like the Flag of Houston and the Flag of Dallas. All three feature large white stars with a design in the center, symbolizing the "Lone Star State" nickname of Texas.[3]
History
First flag
San Antonio's first flag, used from 1917 to 1976
Prior to an official city flag, many flags had flown in San Antonio, as many different nations have claimed jurisdiction of the city. Flags of
Shriner from Alzafar Temple, on January 18, 1917.[4] The first flag's design was a white field with a blue silhouette of Texas, with "SAN ANTONIO" written in white within the border. An Alamo illustration was placed roughly on the location of the city within the state. The flag had a dark-colored binding, likely blue, and measured 48 inches by 65 inches.[4][1] Sources differ on when the flag was officially adopted, with American City Flags, a North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) book, listing the adoption date as January 25, 1917,[1] while a 1992 NAVA News publication listed the date as April 3, 1917.[4] What is not disputed is the fact that the flag fell somewhat into obscurity due to lack of use. The flag reappeared at the San Antonio City Hall in August 1929, and yet again disappeared.[4]
Second flag
City's second flag, used from 1976-1992
It is from this relatively unknown nature of the first design that the second flag was created. William Herring, a deputy commander for the Texas Department of United War Veterans, created the flag for the national convention of the
block letter font as "SAN ANTONIO". This flag was of 10:18 proportion and had gold tassels. The original flag prior to the redesign has been lost.[4]
Third flag
Detail of the flagpole on the top of the San Antonio City Hall. The city's flag is on the bottom.
The third, and current flag, is a slight modification of the second design. The text on the flag was removed after the city council was informed that it was no longer acceptable to place words on a flag.[2] This suggestion was apparently from Pete Van de Putte, president of the San Antonio-based Dixie Flag Company, who also cited cost-cutting benefits in his suggestion to mayor Nelson Wolff. Along with the text, the gold tassels also were removed in the third design.[1]
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San Antonio's first flag, used from 1917 to 1976.gif)
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