With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Ask LAist: Our State Flag
()
Ask LAist is our occasional feature in which we answer the perplexing questions of our dear readers. Need help figuring out something about the city...or life in general? Ask us.
LAist isn't just here to tell you where the best egg cream in city is, or when Boogie Knights will be playing the Lava Lounge again. No, we are here for much, much more. And a big part of that is your, and our own, edification.
In our very first "Ask LAist" feature, we'll clue you (and ourselves) in on some facts about our own State Flag, courtesy of reader...let's call him *Bob. He writes:
Support for LAist comes from
LAist:
Maybe you can help me: I'm trying to track down a poster or framed print of the California state flag for my roommates as a Christmas gift. Any ideas where one of those can be found in L.A.?
I very much enjoy LAist and have learned much about SoCal since moving here in July.
All best,
Bob
Well Bob, let's look at our ensign first, and learn a little bit about it.
The historic Bear Flag was first raised at Sonoma on June 14, 1846, by a group of American settlers who were revolting against Mexican rule. The flag was designed by William Todd on a piece of new unbleached cotton. The star imitated the lone star of Texas. The grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state (wow, how's that for symbolism?). The word, "California Republic" was placed beneath the star and bear. It was adopted by the 1911 State Legislature as the State Flag. [Source: California Blue Book - do you think they have a blog? That paragraph really needs to be pepped up]
Now, checking Wikipedia lends a whole host of new information about the flag and it's rich history. (Come ON California Blue Book. Use those weblinks.) And still more digging gives us this gem about the banner. Sadly, the original flag (which was made partly of a petticoat, linseed oil, and brick dust!) was destroyed in the San Francisco Earthquake and subsequent Fire of 1906.
Now, to help Bob out, we did a little additional Googling of our own, and found a few (really nice) framed California flag prints for sale.
This one from someone over at CafePress. ($39.99)
From AccentFurniture.com (IN OHIO! Jenkies.) ($69.00)
Support for LAist comes from
Or from California-flag.com (In Pennsylvania!? What gives?) (various prices for unframed flags)
Now, your best bet is to either pick one up at a local Army/Navy Surplus store (there's a great one north on Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, near the courthouse), or visit AAA Flag and Banner. One of the nation's biggest flag companies, headquartered right here in good old Los Angeles, they have a ton of local shops, and they sell California flags like hotcakes. It'll only run you a couple of bucks at either place. Then take it to one of the billion framing places in Los Angeles (there are quite a few nice ones on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks/Studio City on your drive back from Van Nuys). Have them slap a frame on it, and voila! Merry Christmas.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist