Oregon State
Flag
Adopted on February 26, 1925.
The flag of the state of Oregon is a two-sided flag in navy blue and gold with an optional gold fringe. On the front is the escutcheon from the state seal and on the reverse is a gold figure of a beaver, the state animal. Oregon is currently the only U.S. state to have a two-sided flag (the Flag of Massachusetts was changed in 1971 to be single-sided).
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Adopted
in 1925, the flag is colored navy blue with gold lettering and symbols. Certain occasions demand
a more formal version of the flag and so a "dress" or "parade" version
of the flag is fringed in gold .
The current flag design became official on February 26, 1925. What is believed to be the first flag of Oregon produced was made that year by Meier & Frank, sewn by Marjorie Kennedy and Blanche Cox, employees of the department store. That flag was donated to Eastern Oregon University in 1954 by the grandson of former governor Walter M. Pierce. In 2010, the flag was restored
The Oregon State Flag
The flag of Oregon is the only state flag with different pictures on each side. Both sides
are navy blue with all lettering and symbols in gold, representing the state colors of Oregon.
On the obverse, the legend STATE OF OREGON is written above an escutcheon, which also appears
in the Oregon state seal. The shield is surrounded by 33 stars, representing Oregon's admission
to the Union in 1859 as the 33rd state. The scene on the shield shows the sun setting over
the Pacific Ocean, mountains, forests and a covered wagon. A plow, wheat and pickax represent
farming and mining. Of the two ships: The one leaving is a British ship and the one arriving
is a United States ship representing trade. The eagle represents the United States. On a banner
are the words "The Union" representing support for the United States. Below the shield
is written 1859, the year in which Oregon became a state.
Oregon's flag is the last remaining state flag in the U.S. in which the obverse and reverse
sides have different designs. Paraguay is the only country that still has a two-sided flag.
Two-sided flags were previously more common, but have been reduced due to increased costs of
manufacturing a flag with two different designs. On the reverse of the flag is a depiction,
also in gold, of a beaver, the state animal of Oregon. Oregon has the only U.S. state flag
with differing symbolism on two sides.
For dress or parade usage, the flag may feature a gold fringe. For standard usage, no fringe
is required. The ratio of the flag's width to length is 3:5.
Oregon Flag Law
Oregon Revised Statutes 2005 Edition, Title 19, Chapter 186.
TITLE 19 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS RELATED TO GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Chapter 186. State Emblems; State Boundary
186.010 State flag; official colors (1) A state flag is adopted to be used
on all occasions when the state is officially and publicly represented, with the privilege
of use by all citizens upon such occasions as may be fitting and appropriate. It shall bear
on one side on a navy blue field the state escutcheon in gold, supported by 33 gold stars and
bearing above the escutcheon the words "State of Oregon" in gold and below the escutcheon
the figures "1859" in gold, and on the other side on a navy blue field a representation
of the beaver in gold.
(2) The official colors of the State of Oregon are navy blue and gold. [Amended by 1959 c.120
§1]
186.110 State flag to be displayed on public buildings. (1) The person or
body having custody of each public building shall procure an Oregon State flag of suitable
size and shall cause the Oregon State flag to be displayed with the United States flag upon
or near such public building during the hours when the United States flag is customarily displayed,
except in unsuitable weather, and at such other times as seems proper.
(2) As used in this section, "public building" means:
(a) State institutions
(b) All other state buildings upon which the Oregon Department of Administrative Services determines
it is suitable to display the Oregon State flag.
(c) County courthouses. [1953 c.474 §1,2]
186.120 Payment of expenses incurred in displaying flag. The necessary funds
to defray the expenses incurred for such flags and for poles and appliances necessary in connection
therewith and for the care thereof shall be paid out of the funds available for the care and
maintenance of the public building. [1953 c.474 §3]
The Flags of the US.
