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Omaha, Nebraska (U.S.)

Douglas County

7:11 image located by Jan Mertens, 6 April 2007
Based on: http://eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=17083

Current Flag
Alternate Flag
Former Flags
Seal

See also:

Current Flag

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.

Design

The field of Omaha’s flag is dark blue with a Native American sun symbol in the center in gold. Its four sets of three conjoined gold rays emanate in the four cardinal directions, expanding slightly as they extend outward. The points of the rays differ: the central ray comes to a point at its center, while the outer rays come to a point at their outer edges. The diameter of the circle enclosing the sun symbol is 4 units on a field of 7 by 11 units. Overlaying the center of the sun symbol is a red disk, 1.5 units in diameter. Filling most of this disk is a covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen heading toward the fly, depicted in white with black shadings. A man leads the horses; two women are seated at the wagon’s front.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Symbolism

The circle enclosing the Native American sun symbol signifies continuous growth. The rays of the sun symbolize transportation on water, land, and in the air; the industries of agriculture, the livestock market, and manufacturing; city government as exemplified in the city’s charter; and culture represented by education, religion, and fine arts. The covered wagon recalls the city’s pioneer heritage.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Selection

In February of 1958 the Omaha Girl Scouts thought that the city should have a flag. They contacted the mayor, John Rosenblatt, who concurred, and asked the girls to come up with a flag for an All-America City banquet just six weeks away. The troops did research and proposed two different designs. Elements from both were combined in the final flag, which was presented at the banquet.
Flag adopted: 18 March 1958 (official).
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Designer

Heinz Rohde, an artist who combined the ideas into a final design.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Alternate Flag

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.

While the official flag has no lettering, words have been added at various times since, apparently unofficially. In 1963 CITY OF was centered horizontally above the sun symbol and OMAHA, NEBRASKA ran across the bottom, all in gold block letters. The current de facto flag uses the same lettering, but omits the name of the state.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Former Flags

Records indicate that Omaha has had two other city flags, both unofficial. A 1927 flag had the seal of the state of Nebraska on a red, green, and yellow field with OMAHA in large letters. A later flag apparently placed the former city seal on a plain field, no colors known. Both flags have been lost, and no images of them remain.
John M. Purcell, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

image by David Sigley, 4 February 2023

I discovered a clipping of the city flag of Omaha that was used from 1927 to 1958. The first flag was adopted on September 18, 1927. The flag was considered official, though photos of it being used have yet to be found. It was replaced by the current city flag on March 14, 1958 after a flag contest. I have tried to find vintage photos from the 30s to the early 50s of parades in Omaha to see if the city flag was used. I have yet to find any photos with the flag in it.

The flag is a vertical tri-color of red-gold-green. In the center is the centerpiece of the seal of Nebraska. Above that is the city name in black, arched downwards towards the logo.

Photo of the 1927 flag: https://www.facebook.com/photo
The 1958 Flag design Newspaper article: https://www.facebook.com/photo
David Sigley, 4 February 2023

Seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 3 October 2019

Source: http://www.kvnonews.com/
Paul Bassinson, 3 October 2019