Last modified: 2020-05-30 by rick wyatt
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3:5 image(s) by permission of David B. Martucci
image(s) from American City Flags,
Raven
9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association,
which retains copyright.
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Text and image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright. Image(s) from American City Flags by permission of David B. Martucci.
The field of the flag of Cedar Rapids is white. Across approximately
the central third of the field horizontally, extending seven-eighths
of the flag’s length, is a symbolic city skyline in blue. Beginning
at the hoist side is a historic mill, separated from the church with a
steeple that follows it by three corn stalks. In the center is a representation
of the city’s Memorial Coliseum. On the fly side is a factory with
two smokestacks, then three more stalks of corn, and finally the girders
of an unfinished rectangular building. Above the mill is a cloud; another
is behind the upper part of the Coliseum; and smoke wafts from
the smokestacks toward the fly. The scene is enclosed on the sides and
above by three curved lines with the first indentation at the church
steeple and the second at the factory smokestacks. The scene rests on
a blue heraldic ribbon on which the city’s motto appears in white (with
quotation marks): “PROUD of YESTERDAY [below the mill and
church] PROGRESSIVE TODAY [below the Coliseum] PROMISING
TOMORROW” [below the factory and unfinished building].
Above the scene, running across the field nearly the same length as the
scene is CEDAR RAPIDS; below, centered below the central segment
of the scene is IOWA, all in large red letters.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags,
Raven
9-10, 2002-2003
Red, white, and blue are the three basic colors because they are the basic colors of both the American flag and the flag of Iowa. The ribbon on which the slogan of Cedar Rapids appears represents the Cedar River which has been and probably always will be an important part of Cedar Rapids. The structure on the left [hoist] represents the first mill built in Cedar Rapids along the river in 1842. The role of agriculture is represented by the stalks of corn on both the left [hoist] and right [fly] of the design. The church pictured represents the many churches for which Cedar Rapids is famous and proud. The Memorial Coliseum is symbolic of the progressive city which Cedar Rapids is today. This building houses both our city government and the Chamber of Commerce. The factory illustrates the role of industry in Cedar Rapids today and in the future. The steel girders of an unfinished building represent the promising future of our great city.John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003
A contest was held among the four high schools
of the city.
Flag adopted: 8 October 1962 (official status uncertain).
John M. Purcell, American City Flags,
Raven
9-10, 2002-2003
Fred Easker, Jr.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags,
Raven
9-10,
2002-2003
After the flag was adopted, 114 were
made. Two were kept for the mayor’s office and council chambers; the
remainder sold for $3.35 each.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags,
Raven
9-10,
2002-2003