Spokane's flag
In all its faded, 1970ish glory, Spokane’s flag flew on Tuesday in its rightful place, third only to the American and Washington flags. What would normally be unremarkable background at a mayoral news conference became a highlight because city officials have largely shunned the city’s flag in recent years, so much so, that the only known remaining city flag is wrinkled, browning and was missing for years until it was recently located in storage box unrelated to the flag.
Section:Picture story
This is a postcard of the 1920 Spokane flag.
Courtesy of the Spokane Public Library
Caption from The Spokesman-Review that ran on nov. 7, 1958: This shot was taken minutes after Col. Louis W. Ford (left), team captain for the western air defense rocket team from Larson air force base, scored a direct hit on a drone target during all-air force fighter-interceptor competition at Tyndall air force base, Fla. A group of Spokane civic leaders and military men witnessed part of the competion. Shown with Colonel Ford are Donald L. Lussier, Spokane commissioner of public safety (center), and S. Luther Essick, Spokane business man. The flag they hold bears signatures of Inland Empire personalities.
Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
Caption from The Spokesman-Review that ran in June 1975: Spokane’s official city flag, which Mayor David H. Rodgers wants redesigned, is shown by Lory Seibold, employee at city hall. The mayor said he isn’t impressed with this flag, that it isn’t suitable for Spokane’s new status as an All-America City. He asked for proposals for a new city banner. This flag is lilac colored.
Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
Spokane Chronicle mug shot from May 1974: Lloyd L. Carlson, who designed the current official flag of the city of Spokane after Mayor David Rodgers announced in 1975 that the city needed a new flag.
Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
Caption from Spokane Chronicle photo that ran in March 1977: Mrs. W. Tom Mableson (left) and Mrs. Terry H. Tate display the new official city flag which was created by members of Spokane Falls Needlework Guild. The white velvet background is colored by a chartreuse and an aqua strip and bears the city logo. Designed by Lloyd L. Carlson, who also created the Expo ‘74 mobius strip symbol, the flag is a twin of one presented to Sokane’s Sister City, Nishinomiya, Japan, last May. The banner will replace the 19-year-old lavendar “Lilac City” flag.
Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review
Spokane Mayor David Condon shows off the city of Spokane’s officials flag at a news conference on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. The city’s flag has largely been ignored by city leaders in recent years, but Condon says he plans to have it on display at city events.
Jonathan Brunt The Spokesman-Review