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This booklet outlines procedures for the care and use of the Arkansas State Flag. The book was compiled by a committee formed by the Secretary of State. Representatives of the Governor's Office, the Department of Education, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., the State History Commission, the Secretary of State's Office and the Daughters of the American Revolution made up the committee.
Our State Flag: A Brief History Early in 1912 the Pine Bluff Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), decided to present a "stand of colors" to the U.S.S. Arkansas, a new battleship. A United States Flag, a naval battalion flag and an Arkansas Flag were to be included.
Secretary of State Earle W. Hodges informed the committee appointed by the DAR group that Arkansas had no state flag. The Pine Bluff Chapter immediately launched a movement to obtain one. Through the newspapers they asked that designs be submitted to Secretary of State Hodges, who had agreed to appoint a committee.
Sixty-five separate designs were considered by Hodges' committee. The design chosen was the work of Miss Willie Kavanaugh Hocker of Wabbaseka, a member of the Pine Bluff Chapter, DAR. The General Assembly passed a resolution on February 26, 1913, affirming the choice of the committee.
The original design submitted by Miss Hocker appeared essentially as the flag does today, except that the central white diamond contained only three blue stars, lying in a straight line from left to right.
The selection committee asked her to place the word "Arkansas" in the center of the diamond. Miss Hocker then made a new flag, adding "Arkansas" and placing two blue stars below and one above the name.
Though simple in appearance, the flag was rich in symbolism. The colors red, white, and blue signified that Arkansas was one of the United States. The diamond reminded viewers that Arkansas had the nation's only diamond mine. The 25 white stars bordering the diamond showed that Arkansas was the 25th state to enter the union.
The three stars in the center of the flag did triple duty as historical symbols. Prior to statehood, Arkansas had belonged to three nations: Spain, France, and the United States. The United States purchased Louisiana, which included Arkansas, in 1803 and Arkansas was the third state created out of the Louisiana Purchase.
The flag remained unchanged until 1923, when the Legislature added a fourth star to the diamond to represent the Confederacy. At first there were two stars above the name and two below, but legislation in 1924 positioned a Confederate star above the state's name and the original three below it.
The Arkansas History Commission has the original designs submitted in the state flag contest, including the winning entry, the first complete State Flag made by Miss Hocker, and a framed portrait of Miss Hocker.
This brief history was written by
Dr. John Ferguson, State Historian.
Salute To The State Flag
"I Salute the Arkansas Flag With Its Diamond and Stars. We Pledge Our Loyalty to Thee."
Virginia Belcher Brock
Author
The Mother of the Arkansas Flag:
Willie Kavanaugh Hocker
Willie Kavanaugh Hocker was born on July 21, 1862, in Madison County, Kentucky. Her parents were Captain William Kavanaugh Hocker and Virginia Frances Brown Hocker.
The family moved to a plantation in north Jefferson County, Arkansas, near what is now Altheimer, after the Civil War.
Miss Hocker was visiting friends in Pine Bluff when she designed what later turned out to be the winning entry for the Arkansas Flag. For the design, Miss Hocker used school drawing paper and watercolors.
Miss Hocker was a public school teacher in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County for 34 years, always stressing Arkansas history. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Pine Bluff and the Pine Bluff Chapter DAR as well as several other ancestral and literary societies.
She retired from the classroom to a cottage in Wabbaseka, Arkansas, where she died on February 6, 1944. She is buried in the Hocker family plot at Bellwood Cemetery.
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Protocol For The Arkansas State Flag
Description and Care:
1.01 |
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The Arkansas Flag was adopted as the State Flag by an act of the General Assembly In 1913. |
1.02 |
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When the condition of the flag is such that it is no longer fit for display, it should be disposed of in the same manner as the U.S. Flag, preferably by burning, and with the same dignity as is accorded the disposal of the U.S. Flag.
Retirement Ceremony Suggested By The Ouachita Chapter of the Girl Scouts of America
At a final ceremony the worn Arkansas Flag should be raised briskly to the top of the flagpole, followed by the pledge. Then the flag should be lowered slowly. When the flag is removed from the pole, the blue diamond field should be cut away from the red field. The red field should then be folded to one-fourth its unfolded size and-placed on a- cross bar over a fire site. The blue diamond field should then be folded in half and placed over the red field. The fire should then be lit beneath the cloth pieces. Once the flag is rendered to ashes, the ashes should be collected and buried. |
Proper Display:
2.01 |
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The Arkansas Flag should always be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. |
2.02 |
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The Arkansas flag should be displayed on state holidays and on historic and special occasions. |
2.03 |
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The Arkansas Flag should not be displayed outdoors earlier than sunrise nor later than sunset. When a patriotic effect is desired, however, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if directly illuminated during hours of darkness. |
2.04 |
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The Arkansas Flag should not be displayed during inclement weather, unless an all-weather flag is used. An all-weather flag is made from colorfast material. |
2.05 |
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The Arkansas Flag should be displayed on or near the main administration building of every state facility. |
2.06 |
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The Arkansas Flag should be dipped as a mark of honor to the U.S. Flag, or to the national anthem if the U.S. Flag is not being displayed. When the Arkansas Flag is dipped, care must be taken that it does not touch the ground or floor. |
2.07 |
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The Arkansas Flag may be dipped as a matter of courtesy to the flag of another nation, or to its national anthem if the flag is not being displayed. |
2.08 |
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The Arkansas Flag should not be carded flat or horizontally but always aloft and free, as it is carried in a parade. |
2.09 |
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When the Arkansas Flag is displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should always be attached securely to a staff so it can fly freely. |
2.10 |
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The Arkansas Flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of any Vehicle, or on any railroad train, boat, or airplane. |
2.11 |
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The Arkansas Flag should never be used to cover a platform or speaker's desk, or as a drape for the front of a speaker's platform. Bunting of red, white and blue may be used. |
2.12 |
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When the Arkansas Flag and the U.S. Flag are displayed together over the middle of a street, both flags should be suspended vertically and at the same level. The Arkansas Flag should be approximately the same size as, but never larger than the U. S. Flag. |
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Desecration:
3.01 |
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The Arkansas Flag should be accorded the same respect as the U.S. Flag. |
3.02 |
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No person shall publicly mutilate, deface, defile, trample upon, or by word or act cast contempt upon the Arkansas Flag. |
3.03 |
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The Arkansas Flag should not be allowed to touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. |
3.04 |
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The Arkansas Flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. |
3.05 |
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No person shall, in any manner for exhibition or display:
a) Place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement of any nature upon any flag authorized by any law of the United States or of this State; or
b) Expose to public view any such flag upon which shall have been printed, painted or otherwise proceed, or to which shall have been attached, appended, affixed or annexed any such word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement; or
c) Expose to public view for sale, manufacture, or otherwise, or to sell, give or have in possession for sale, for gift or for use for any purpose, any substance, being article of merchandise, or receptacle, thing for holding or carrying merchandise, upon or to which shall have been produced or attached any such flag in order to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark or distinguish such article or substance. |
3.06 |
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The prohibition against use of the Arkansas Flag outlined in 3.05 shall not apply to any act permitted by the statutes of the United States (or of Arkansas), or by the United States military regulations; nor shall it apply to any printed or written document or production, stationery, ornament, pictures, apparel or jewelry that contain the flag as long as no design or words connected with any advertisement appear. |
3.07 |
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The Arkansas Flag itself should not be made into or be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery, nor should the Arkansas Flag be cut, torn, or otherwise disfigured to create wearing apparel, a costume, or athletic uniform. |
3.08 |
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A lapel pin bearing a replica of the Arkansas Flag should be worn only on the left lapel near the heart. |
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Display with Other Flags:
4.01 |
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When the Arkansas Flag is displayed within the State of Arkansas, it should occupy the position of honor (to the observer's left) after the U.S. Flag and the flags of any other nation, and before the flags of other states, Arkansas counties, municipalities, and public and private organizations.
The positions of honor in a display of flags are:
* U.S. Flag in the position of highest honor (the observer's extreme left or the highest point in a grouping of flags).
* Flag or flags of other nations ranked in alphabetical order.
* Arkansas Flag.
* Flags of other states, ranked in an order determined by the respective state's date of admission to the Union. In national events or ceremonies honoring the nation or the U.S. Flag, the Arkansas Flag may occupy the twenty-fifth position among the flags of the states in recognition of its rank as the twenty-fifth state to join the union.
Flags of Arkansas counties with the host county in the position of honor to the left (the observer's right) of 'the Arkansas Flag, followed by the other-county flags ranked in an order determined by a county's date of creation.
* Flags of Arkansas municipalities, and the flags or pennants of public and private agencies, institutions, and societies ranked in an order determined at the discretion of the organizers of the particular event. |
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4.02 |
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When the U.S. Flag and Arkansas Flag are flown from a single flagstaff, the U.S. Flag should be displayed from the peak position with the Arkansas Flag immediately below it. The Arkansas Flag should be approximately the same size as, but never larger than, the U. S. Flag. |
4.03 |
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When the Arkansas Flag and the U.S. Flag are displayed on separate flagpoles, the flagpoles should be of equal height and the Arkansas Flag should be approximately the same size a s, but never larger than, the U.S. Flag. The U.S. Flag should be flown from the position of honor on the Arkansas Flag's right, or, from the flagpole on the left as normally viewed by the observer. The Arkansas flag should be flown from the second position of honor, or from the flagpole on the right as normally viewed by the observer. |
4.04 |
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At an Arkansas facility located in another state, the flag of the host state may be flown on an adjacent staff of equal height. The Arkansas Flag and the flag of the host state should be approximately the same size, and the Arkansas Flag should be flown in the position of honor ( to the observer's left) after the U.S. Flag. When the Arkansas Flag is flown with the U.S. Flag and the flag of another state at such a facility, the proper order from the observer's left is the U.S. Flag, the Arkansas Flag, and the flag of the host state. |
4.05 |
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The U.S. Flag displayed from a staff either on a speaker's platform or at floor level in a public auditorium should occupy the position of honor on the speaker's right as the speaker faces the audience. The Arkansas Flag displayed from a staff either on a speaker’s platform or on the main floor of a public auditorium should be placed in the second position of honor to the left (the observer's right) of the U.S. Flag. Both the U.S. and the Arkansas Flags may be to the speaker's right (the observers left), or the Arkansas Flag (but not the U.S. Flag) may be to the speaker's left (observer's right). |
4.06 |
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When the Arkansas Flag and U.S. Flag, are displayed from separate staffs grouped around a central point, the U.S. Flag should be at the highest point of the group. The Arkansas Flag takes the next place of honor (on the observer's extreme left). |
4.07 |
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When displayed with the Arkansas Flag from crossed staffs, the U.S. Flag should be on the observers left and its staff should be in front of the Arkansas Flag's staff. |
4.08 |
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When carried in a procession with the Arkansas Flag and other flags, the U.S. Flag should be on the marching right (the observer's left) with the Arkansas Flag taking the next position of honor (to 'the observer’s right). The U.S. Flag can also be carried in front of and at the center of a line of flags in a procession, in which case the Arkansas Flag should take the next position of honor on 'the marching right (the observer's left) of the line. |
4.09 |
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When the U.S. and Arkansas Flags are flown from a cross staff, the U.S. Flag flies from the peak and the Arkansas Flag occupies the position on the right end of the cross staff (the observer's left). |
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Use During Period of Mourning:
5.01 |
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The Arkansas Flag should be flown at half-staff whenever the U.S. Flag is so flown. Half-staff means lowering the flag to one half the distance between the top and the bottom of the staff. When flown at half-staff, the Arkansas Flag should be hoisted briskly to the peak for an instant and then lowered slowly to half-staff. Before being lowered for 'the day, the Arkansas Flag should be raised to the peak. |
5.02 |
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When the U.S. Flag and the Arkansas Flag are flown together at half-staff, whether from adjacent staffs or from a single staff with two halyards, the U.S. Flag is raised first and lowered last. When flown from a single staff with one halyard, the Arkansas Flag is secured to the halyard immediately below the U.S. Flag and accompanies it as the U.S. Flag is raised to the peak and lowered to half-staff. |
5.03 |
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By order of the Governor or the Governor's authorized representative, the Arkansas Flag shall be flown at half staff upon the death of present or former leaders, and on other occasions as the Governor or the Governor's authorized representative directs. The Arkansas Flag shall remain at half-staff for the period prescribed by the Governor or the Governor's representative. |
5.04 |
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The Arkansas Flag should be flown at half-staff when so ordered by local government officials on all property under their jurisdiction. |
5.05 |
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On Memorial Day, the U.S. Flag and Arkansas Flag are displayed at half-staff until noon only; then hoisted to the top of the staff. |
5.06 |
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The Arkansas Flag may be used to cover the coffin of a state police officer killed in the line of duty, or any other state official or public servant whose career was substantially devoted to public service in the state. When the Arkansas Flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the name "Arkansas" is legible to the viewers. The Arkansas Flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. |
5.07 |
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During periods of official mourning, the Arkansas Flag may be draped with crepe when it is not possible to display flag at half-staff. |
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Use of the U.S. Ensign and Arkansas Flag On Recreational Boats
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Note: This section does not cover the use of yacht club burgees, owners' private signals, U.S. Power -Squadron Flags, U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Flags, foreign flags, or social and courtesy flags. Rules for these are well established and may be round in existing literature. The U.S. Ensign with a canton of 50 stars (as the U.S. Flag is called while in nautical use) and the U.S. Yacht Ensign, with a canton of 13 stars, are interchangeable on all types of recreational vessels while in national waters. Because the preferred location for the U.S. Power Squadron Flag is also the starboard spreader, it may be flown beneath the Arkansas Flag. |
6.01 |
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The U.S. Ensign and the Arkansas Flag are normally flown from sunrise to sunset. However, at most yacht clubs "colors are made," at 0800. This timing is proper when in the company of other boats simultaneously making colors. The U.S. Ensign is flown first and lowered last. |
6.02 |
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If the Arkansas Flag is flown on sailing vessels:
Sloops, cutters, and schooners
While underway sailing vessels with one mast should fly the U.S. Ensign at the stern staff, two-thirds of the way up the leech of the mainsail (or at the top of the leech, if gaff-rigged). The Arkansas Flag should fly at the starboard spreader, or on the forward mast of a schooner.
While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stem staff and the Arkansas Flag from the starboard spreader.
Yawls and ketches
While underway - The U.S. Ensign should fly at the stern staff or at position two-thirds up the leech of the mizzen sail (or at the peak of the leech of the mizzen sail, if gaff-rigged). The Arkansas Flag should fly at the starboard spreader (at the starboard spreader means the, spreader on the most forward mast if more 'than one and 1rom 'the most outboard hoist of that spreader).
While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Arkansas Flag from the starboard spreader. |
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6.03 |
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If the Arkansas Flag is flown on motorboats:
While underway and at anchor-the U.S. Ensign should fly from the stem staff and the Arkansas Flag may be flown from the forestaff in lieu of a yacht club burgee. Motor boats with auxiliary masts should follow the rules for sailboats. |
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Arkansas Counties
Name |
Date of Formation |
Arkansas |
Dec. 13, 1813 |
Lawrence |
Jan.15, 1815 |
Clark |
Dec. 15, 1818 |
Hempstead |
Dec. 15, 1818 |
Pulaski |
Dec. 15, 1818 |
Miller |
Apr. 1, 1820 |
Phillips |
May 1, 1820 |
Crawford |
Oct. 18, 1820 |
Independence |
Oct. 20, 1820 |
Chicot |
Oct. 25, 1823 |
Conway |
Oct. 20, 1825 |
Crittenden |
Oct. 22, 1825 |
Izard |
Oct. 27, 1825 |
St. Francis |
Oct. 13, 1827 |
Lafayette |
Oct. 15, 1827 |
Sevier |
Oct. 17, 1827 |
Washington |
Oct. 17, 1828 |
Union |
Nov. 2, 1829 |
Pope |
Nov. 2, 1829 |
Monroe |
Nov. 2, 1829 |
Jefferson |
Nov. 2, 1829 |
Hot Spring |
Nov. 2, 1829 |
Jackson |
Nov. 5, 1829 |
Mississippi |
Nov. 1, 1833 |
Pike |
Nov. 1, 1833 |
Carroll |
Nov. 1, 1833 |
Greene |
Nov. 5, 1833 |
Scott |
Nov. 5, 1833 |
Van Buren |
Nov. 11 , 1833 |
Johnson . |
Nov. 16, 1833 |
White |
Oct. 23, 1835 |
Randolph |
Oct. 29, 1835 |
Saline |
Nov. 2. 1835 |
Searcy |
Nov. 5, 1835 |
Marion |
Sept. 25, 1836 |
Madison |
Sept. 30, 1836 |
Benton |
Sept. 30, 1836 |
Franklin |
Dec. 19, 1837 |
Poinsett |
Feb.28, 1838 |
Desha |
Dec. 12, 1838 |
Yell |
Dec. 15, 1840 |
Perry |
Dec. 18, 1840 |
Bradley |
Dec.18, 1840 |
Ouachita |
Nov. 29, 1842 |
Montgomery |
Dec. 9, 1842 |
Newton |
Dec. 14, 1842 |
Fulton |
Dec. 21, 1842 |
Polk |
Nov. 30, 1844 |
Dallas |
Jan.1, 1845 |
Prairie |
Oct. 25, 1846 |
Drew |
Nov. 26, 1846 |
Ashley |
Nov. 30, 1848 |
Cross |
Dec. 6, 1850 |
Woodruff |
Jan. 6, 1851 |
Calhoun |
Dec. 17, 1852 |
Sebastian |
Feb. 19, 1859 |
Columbia |
Nov. 15, 1862 |
Craighead |
Nov. 26, 1862 |
Little River |
Mar. 5, 1867 |
Sharp |
July 18, 1868 |
Grant |
Feb. 4. 1869 |
Boone |
Apr. 9, 1869 |
Nevada |
Mar. 20, 1871 |
Logan |
Mar. 22, 1871 |
Lincoln |
Mar. 28, 1871 |
Baxter |
Mar. 24, 1873 |
Clay |
Mar. 24, 1873 |
Garland |
Apr. 5, 1873 |
Faulkner |
Apr. 12, 1873 |
Lonoke |
Apr. 16, 1873 |
Cleveland |
Apr. 17, 1873 |
Lee |
Apr. 17, 1873 |
Stone |
Apr. 17, 1873 |
Howard |
Apr. 21, 1873 |
Cleburne |
Feb. 20, 1883 |
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Order of States
Admission to Union
Order |
State |
Date |
1. |
Delaware |
Dec. 7, 1787 |
2. |
Pennsylvania |
Dec 12, 1787 |
3. |
New Jersey |
Dec. 18, 1787 |
4. |
Georgia |
Jan. 2, 1788 |
5. |
Connecticut |
Jan. 9, 1788 |
6. |
Massachusetts |
Feb.6, 1788 |
7. |
Maryland |
Apr. 28, 1788 |
8. |
South Carolina |
May 23, 1788 |
9. |
New Hampshire |
June 21, 1788 |
10. |
Virginia |
June 25, 1788 |
11. |
New York |
July 26, 1788 |
12. |
North Carolina |
Nov. 21, 1788 |
13. |
Rhode Island |
May 29, 1790 |
14. |
Vermont |
Mar. 4, 1791 |
15. |
Kentucky |
June 1, 1792 |
16. |
Tennessee |
June 1, 1796 |
17. |
Ohio |
Mar. 1, 1803 |
18. |
Louisiana |
Apr. 30, 1812 |
19. |
Mississippi |
Dec. 10, 1817 |
20. |
Indiana |
Dec. 11, 1816 |
21. |
Illinois |
Dec. 3, 1818 |
22. |
Alabama |
Dec. 14, 1819 |
23. |
Maine |
Mar. 15, 1820 |
24. |
Missouri |
Aug. 10, 1821 |
25. |
Arkansas |
June 15, 1836 |
26. |
Michigan |
Jan. 26, 1837 |
27. |
Florida |
Mar. 3, 1845 |
28. |
Texas |
Dec. 29, 1845 |
29. |
Iowa |
Dec. 28, 1846 |
30. |
Wisconsin |
May 29, 1848 |
31. |
California |
Sept. 9, 1850 |
32. |
Minnesota |
May 11, 1858 |
33. |
Oregon |
Feb. 14, 1859 |
34. |
Kansas |
Jan. 29, 1861 |
35. |
West Virginia |
June 20, 1863 |
36. |
Nevada |
Oct. 31, 1864 |
37. |
Nebraska |
Mar. 1, 1867 |
38. |
Colorado |
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