This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Lawton, Oklahoma (U.S.)

Comanche County

Last modified: 2024-03-16 by rick wyatt
Keywords: lawton | oklahoma | comanche county |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors



[Municipal flag] image by Masao Okazaki, 9 July 2021



See also:


Flag

Lawton OK has had at least 2 different flags in the past decade. Since about 2020, the city has used a flag that is based on a city seal that's been used since at least 2012.
https://www.facebook.com/CityofLawton/photos/3543702135734233
https://www.facebook.com/CityofLawton/photos/3437657069672074/
https://z94.com/mayor-stan-booker-and-councilman-jay-burk-facing-recall/
Masao Okazaki, 9 July 2021

After asking the city, I received the resolution adopting the first city flag. The former city flag was adopted as official on September 13, 1983.

The resolution provides reasoning for its adoption and reads: “WHEREAS, the City of Midwest City has need of a focal point for its civic endeavors”. It was also created in need of a city flag for its official acts.
Daniel Rentería, 6 February 2024


Seal

[Municipal seal] image located by Paul Bassinson, 13 November 2019

Source: https://www.lawtonok.gov
Paul Bassinson, 13 November 2019


Earlier Flag

[Municipal flag] image by Masao Okazaki, 9 July 2021

The flag used since 2013 had a city seal with a yellow border.
https://townsquare.media/site/127/files/2015/07/Lawton.jpg?w=980&q=75
https://www.facebook.com/CityofLawton/photos/a.195077007263446/447180692053075
A close up view of this flag can be seen on the website of a Tulsa flag company called Liberty Flags:
https://libertyflags.com/pages/custom-flags-gallery
https://cdn.shopify.com
Masao Okazaki, 9 July 2021

Lawton adopted its first official city flag on August 7, 1963 after being presented to the city by the Altrusa club, which previously agreed to pay for it. Mayor Wayne Gilley suggested the idea of a city flag and entrusted the planning of a city flag to a committee headed by Mrs. Frances Curb, Lee School principal.

The design is in six colors, which are yellow, blue, brown, red, black, and white. The background is mountainous, representing the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The ring is yellow and displays the city and state name, as well as the year of incorporation. The detail of the device displays: buildings, an olive branch, a star, buffalo, a missile, and arrows. Respectively, each represents progress, peace, faith in God, preparedness, natural resources, and Native heritage. As for who the designer is, I am unsure.

Some possible reasons the seal changed include: because the star representing faith in God is something the ACLU would sue the city over, change in taste, or the council itself disagreeing with its symbolism.
Daniel Rentería, 9 February 2024

[flag of Lawton, Oklahoma] image located by Daniel Rentería, 9 February 2024

Image from the August 7, 1963 issue of the Lawton Constitution.

[flag of Lawton, Oklahoma] image located by Daniel Rentería, 9 February 2024

Detail of flag from the December 12, 1963 issue of the Lawton Constitution also attached.

Daniel Rentería, 9 February 2024

The flag was a mixture between designs created by local artist Harvey Freeze and Central Junior High ninth-grader Sandy Wallander, as the committee only had two weeks in April to select a flag because the mayor wanted the design in time for the opening of the city hall in May and the flag prepared for the city's anniversary in August.
Daniel Rentería, 16 February 2024