Oregon has a unique state flag despite it featuring its coat of arms on a field of blue (like many others). Since Massachusetts updated its flag in 1971, Oregon is the only state with a different design on its reverse.
The state has only flown this one flag, though newspapers and legislators have tried to gain momentum for a redesign.
The flag was officially adopted relatively late on April 15, 1925.
The Oregon flag’s obverse features a field of blue charged with the state coat of arms in gold, centered. “State of Oregon” and “1859” are inscribed in gold, above and below the coat of arms respectively.
The flag’s reverse is also a field of blue charged with a gold beaver on a log and facing right, centered.
Oregon as the 33rd state to join the Union
freedom, strength, peace
animal husbandry, mining, farming
the Oregon Trail
Oregon as part of the United States
the end of British rule
Note: The ships are a British Man-of-war departing the Pacific shore, while an American steamship arrives.
the year Oregon gained statehood
state animal, regional fauna
Oregon has had a few versions of its seal and coat of arms. Previous iterations featured a salmon, Native American man, and the state motto “Alis Volat Propriis” which translates to “She flies with her own wings.”
This version was first designed in 1857 and adopted in 1859 when Oregon became a state.
The Oregon flag features the state colors of navy blue and gold.
Oregon statute does not include dimensions for the flag and there are conflicting records.
According to William Hill’s The codes and general laws of Oregon from 1892, the flag should have a hoist of 6 feet and a fly of 6 feet, 6 inches.
A 1959 letter to Lt. Colonel James S. Cook from State Librarian Eloise Ebert cites that Oregon law specifies a hoist of 4 feet, 4 inches and a fly of 5 feet, 6 inches.
Despite this, the first state flag was produced with a 2:3 proportion at 4 feet by 6 feet, and the flag is still commonly produced with these dimensions.
