Flag Pole

Flag on Parade Ground

NPS Photo

Look closely at our flag. Do you notice anything? This flag is not the familiar fifty-star flag in use since 1960; our flag has only thirty-stars. The thirty-star flag was in use from 1848, when Wisconsin achieved statehood, until 1851 after California became a state. California was actually admitted in September of 1850, but new flags are always introduced on the Fourth of July, so the 31-star flag was not used until July 5, 1851. Another thirty-star flag is displayed on the back wall of the hospital ward exhibit in the Visitor Center.

Since this is a reproduction of a historic flag and is considered part of the historical scene, it is not flown at half mast. To preserve the flag, it is also not flown in inclement weather,, which includes periods of high wind, rain, and snow.

The original flagpole was constructed sometime around 1850, and was made of two large fir poles joined with a cross arm. In addition to holding the two sections together, the cross arm would give workers a place to stand if work was required on the upper section of the pole. In 1855 when the contents of the fort were auctioned off, the flag pole, along with the lightning rod, were sold to John Herford for $1.00.