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Local History

Springfield's Flag

 Click to enlarge.From the Springfield News & Leader, March 13, 1938, page 1D.

"The last stitch is taken by a modern Betsy Ross --and Springfield's first city flag is completed!  'Betsy' is Mrs. Phoebe Hensley, secretary of the Commercial club;  the flag was ordered by Paul Harris, who first thought that the city should have an official banner, and it will fly in front of the Commercial club building on Commercial street.  Harris plans to have others made soon, for the courthouse lawn and for offices of city officials.  Mrs. Hensley will make them, too.  Into the flag, which is four by six feet in size, went a yard each of red, white and blue heavy cotton material, the whole cost was about 75 cents and Mrs. Hensley believes she could make one in half a day [if she should] give all her time to it.  Do you remember the flag's symbolism?  'The cooperation and civic pride (red and blue bars) Springfield has attained renown for her achievements (white bar) in religion, homes, education and industry (the stars).'"

Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=384&lid=38&view=print