New California Flag Stamp 2008

This is a June 14, 2008 photograph showing an enlarged version of the new California State Flag stamp issued by the U.S.P.S.

Bear Flag State Capitol 6/14/2008

These are two photographs of the Bear Flag on the California State Capitol steps as part of the ceremonies releasing the new California Flag U.S. Postal Service stamp on June 14, 2008.

Los Angeles Bear Flag 1863

On January 8, 1863, the Society of California Pioneers met in special meeting "for the purpose of opening and inaugurating their new Hall" and marched in procession to their new Hall. The parade included a total of 307 persons as they marched to the new Hall "at the northeastern corner of Montgomery and Gold streets. The American Flag was carried by Mr. Hazen Kimball; Society’s Standard, by A. D. Piper; Fremont Battalion Flag, by Mr. Isidore Blum, and the Sonoma and Los Angeles Bear Flags, by Messrs. O. Livermore and C. H. Harrison."

So exactly what was or was considered by the Pioneers to constitute the Los Angeles Bear Flag?

That is a question we have yet to hear answered."

Hammer & Sickle Bear Flag

Here is a combination of a cartoonish version of the Bear Flag with a hammer & sickle and a modification the the California Republic phrase.

Bear Flag Art Work

This is a photograph of a recent artwork which uses the California Flag as a facet of the work.

Black & White Bear Flag Drawing

This is a black & white drawing of the Bear Flag, one of relatively recent vintage.

Bear Flag High Top Tennis Shoes

This is a June 14, 2008 photograph of a pair of Bear Flag high top tennis shoes, taken on the steps of the California State Capitol.

1920 NSGW Parade with Firemen & Bear Flag

This is a 1920 photogrpah of a Native Sons of the Golden West parade showing firemen parading and with the Bear Flag flying on a fire wagon.

1913 Lafayette School Photo with Bear Flags

This is a 1913 photograph of students at the Lafayette School, Oakland, CA with two Bear Flags held by students,

1896 Harvey Porterfield Account of Making the Bear Flag

In 1896, Harvey Porterfield gave his Reminiscences of the making of the Bear Flag among other things. This document is at the Huntington Library. Porterfield briefly stated:

"So 'dirty' Matthews said he could get us something if we would not tell on him. So he brought his wife's red flannel petticoat and Todd put a strip of red flannel on this Manta."

Bear Flag at Squaw Valley 2008

This is a photograph taken at Squaw Valley, CA in July 2008 of the California Bear Flag flying from a wooden flag pole.

Fremont Monument at Sutter Buttes

In 1846, at the time the Bear Flag Revolt was starting, John C. Fremont along with the men of his exploring expedition were camped in the vicinity of this monument. This encampment is the location from which the men who took the horses from Lt. Arce left and is also the location from which the original Bear Flaggers left as they headed toward Sonoma in mid-June 1846. Fremont's role in instigating those events is in some dispute.

Beware the the language on the Monument! Can you imagine the embarassment of spending all the time & money on the Monument only to find out that the wrong dates are on the plaque? The plaque here uses the date "1848" instead of the correct year of 1846. Ooops!

California Bear Flag at George Washington School

This is a photograph of the Bear Flag flying at George Washington School

Bear Flag Given to Winters School

On January 19, 1934, "Faculty, pupils and patrons of the Winters grammar school joined force ... to greet Mrs. Anna Mixon Armstrong and Miss Lela Ewert, guest representatives of the Woodland Native Daughters' organization, in the presentation of the Bear Flag exercises. Eugene Ireland, eighth grade president, led salute to the flag, patriotic songs, and introduced Mis Ewert who gave some history of the flag. She introduced Mrs. Armstrong who spoke at length upon the history and significance of the flag, episodes of pioneer days, displaying and presenting the flag to the Winters school. Woodland Daily Democrat, January 22, 1934.

Early 1900s S. F. Native Sons Parade with Bear Flags

This is a photograph of a Native Sons of the Golden West parade, probably an Admission Day parade, in San Francisco in the early 1900s and with the Bear Flag prominently displayed.

Native Sons' Parade

This is a photograph of a Native Sons of the Golden West parade, with Bear Flags flying, and possibly taken in Sacramento, CA.

1872 Todd on the Bear Flag

"Mr. Todd published in June, 1872, the following:

‘At a company meeting it was determined that we should raise a flag ; and it should be a bear en passant, with one star. One of the ladies at the garrison gave us a piece of brown domestic and Mrs. Capt. John Sears gave us some strips of red flannel about four inches wide. The domestic was new, but the flannel was said to have been part of a petticoat worn by Mrs. Sears across the mountains. For a corroboration of these facts I refer to G. P. Swift and Pat Mc-Christian. I took a pen and with ink drew the out-lines of the bear and star upon the white cotton cloth. Linseed oil and Venetian red were found in the garrison and I painted the bear and star. To the best of my recollection, Peter Storm was asked to paint it, but he declined ; and as no other person would undertake to do it, I did it. But Mr. Storm, with several others, assisted in getting the material and, I believe, mixed the paint. Underneath the bear and star were printed with a pen the words `California Republic' in Roman letters. In painting the words I first lined out the letters with a pen, leaving out the letter `i' and putting `c' where `i' should have been, and afterward the `i' over the `c.' It was made with ink and as we had nothing to remove the marks of the false letters it now remains so on the flag.’

From www.oldandsold.com/articles17/california-46.shtml California - The BearFlag Republic (1911).

Schwarzenegger & the Bear Flag

Schwarzenegger Endorsed by Issa

SANTA MONICA, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger stands in front of a California flag at a press conference September 26, 2003 in Santa Monica, California. Rep. Darrell Issa, who bankrolled California Gov. Gray Davis recall effort, announced his endorsement for Schwarzenegger for governor.

Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
Sep 26, 2003"

NSGW Precita Parlor pin with Bear Flag

This is a photograph of a pin of the Native Sons of the Golden West's Precita Parlor which shows an image of the Bear Flag.

Eldredge on the Bear Flag (1912)

From Zoeth Skinner Eldredge’s The Beginnings of San Francisco (1912):

"After the election of Ide as commander-in-chief ('governor,' he claimed) of the California republic, a flag was constructed of a piece of unbleached cotton cloth to the bottom of which was sewn a strip of red flannel. In the upper left hand corner of the white field was drawn a five pointed star, outlined in ink and filled in with red paint. To the right of the star and facing it was drawn in like manner what was intended for a grizzly bear, statant. Under the emblems was the legend, California Republic, in black ink."

An Older California Bear Flag from Flickr

A vintage Bear Flag by Sonomabuzz from Flickr.

Bear Flag in the San Francisco Civic Center

This is a photograph taken in May 2008 at the San Francisco Civic Center showing a copy of the Todd Bear Flag, possibly the "original" Bear Flag, flying.

Bancroft on the Society of California Pioneers' Bear Flags

The Society of California Pioneers' Bear Flags from Bancroft History of California, Vol. V. (1886):

"The Bear Flag has been preserved for many years in the hall of the California Pioneers in San Francisco; that is, I have found no reason to question the genuineness of the flag there preserved, though strictly speaking, it is not so fully proven by documentary evidence as would be desirable. Two other bear flags are preserved by the same society. One of them is of the same size as the original, but differs from it in several respects: the white field is of bunting; the star is much smaller, and black instead of red; the bear, also black, is drawn 'rampant' and with outlines much less inaccurate than in Todd's effort. Beyond the probability that this is the flag painted by Peter Storm, as indicated in my notes, I have found no proofs respecting its origin. The other flag is the guidon presented by Revere. Its dimensions are 42 by 20 inches; and the material, both of field and stripe, is silk. The bear, statant, is under the inscription, faces away from the star, and is much better drawn than the original. Both material and execution indicate that it was made after Fremont;s arrival at Sonoma, and probably after communication had been established with the men-of-war; but nothing definite is known of its origin beyond Revere's statement that he found it at Sonoma in July."

California State Library Bear Flag postcard

This is a photograph of a California Bear Flag postcard, which we believe was issued by the California State LIbrary.

1857 Admission Day Parade

On September 9, 1857, the seventh anniversary of California’s admission as a state, a parade and celebration of the anniversary was held in San Francisco, the largest city in the State. These events are documented in a publication of the Society of California Pioneers, printed in San Francisco by Charles F. Robbins, which also includes reporting on the events by the San Francisco newspaper, the Alta California. Most significantly the Society’s report noted:

"The Society of California Pioneers .... bore in their ranks the celebrated Sonoma bear flag, the first raised in California prior to the annexation of the Territory; the second bear flag, and Col. Fremont’s silk banner."

Bear Flag at the California State Flag

This is a photogrph of the Bear Flag at the State Capitol in Sacramento, CA which was taken by Eric Reed.

Bear Flag at Walnut Creek School District HQ

These are photographs of the California Bear Flag flying at the headquarters of the Walnut Creek School District.

NSGW Wall Hanging

This is a photograph of a Native Sons of the Golden West wall hanging which is currently for sale at antiqueswest.com with a flag-like Bear image

More MChristian Information

In a followup to one of yetserday's posts, according to Peter G. Meyerhof, James McChristian was quoted in the San Francisco Call of Sept. 10, 1911 as saying that he got back to Sonoma about 5 days AFTER the capture of Sonoma to witness the raising of the Bear Flag which William Todd had just made, amidst much celebration. This McChristian version of events would place the creation of the "Todd Bear Flag" around June 18 or 19. Meyerhof also states that in a letter of January 20, 1868, Todd himself claimed he made his flag on June 18th. We have seen neither of these two documents - the McChristian quote of 1911, nor the 1868 Todd letter - and so cannot make a judgment on these matters. As we understand it, this is part of Meyerhof's argument that the Todd Bear Flag was not the original Bear Flag.

For ourselves, we will have to wait and see on this one.

Bear Flag at the Pio Pico Adobe

This is a photograph of the Pio Pico Adobe with the Bear Flag flying.

James McChristian & the Original Bear Flag

According to R. A. Thompson’s Conquest of California, James McChristian, then 10, & his father were NOT among the "original" Bear Flaggers, i.e., those that took Sonoma on the morning of June 14, 1846.

They spent the night of the 13th/14th at the home of Oliver Bolio, Lachryma Montis & only found out about the Insurgency on the morning of June 14th, when they came into Sonoma proper. James & his father left Sonoma in the afternoon of June 14th and the McChristian family returned to Sonoma "as soon as it was possible."

James remembered that the first thing he saw when they got back to Sonoma was men making the Bear Flag.

Although it would seem likely that the McChristian family arrived in Sonoma on either June 14 or 15, according to James' version, that is only surmise. Unfortunately it helps us little in terms of identifying exactly when, date and time, the Bear Flag was made.

Bear Flag in San Francisco

This is a photograph of the Bear Flag flying above the Asian Museum at the San Francisco Civic Center.

California Governor Earl Warren & Bear Flag

This is a photograph of California Governor Earl Warren & a Mrs. Clarke with a table on which a small Bear Flag is standing.

California Bear Toy & box from Japan

This is a photograph of a Japanese toy California Bear with a Bear on the box cover.

Covers of People of the Pueblo

These photographs are of the cover of the dustjacket and the book The People of the Pueblo, by Celeste G. Murphy, with the several images of the Bear Flag.

Thomas Cowie & George Fowler - Bear Flag Revolt Casualties

Thomas Cowie & George Fowler were two of the 33 or 34 men, the Bear Flaggers, who took Sonoma on the morning of June 14, 1846. According to R. A. Thompson in his 1896 The Conquest of California, "On the 18th of June[1846], Thomas Cowie and George Fowler volunteered to go from Sonoma to the Fitch ranch to get a keg of powder from Mose Carson. They were told to keep to the hillsand avoid Sanya Rosa. They were, however, discovered near there by a band of Californians, under command of Juan Padilla, and were captured. They surrendered under a positive pledge that their lives would be spared. They were taken to the Carrillo adobe house on Santa Rosa creek, now the Hahman farm, and were kept there all night. Mrs. Carrillo, who owned the place, objected to any violence to the men on her ranch.

"On the morning of the 19th they were led out by their cruel and heartless captors. They were taken up the little valley on which the county farm is situated beyond the line of Mrs. Carrillo's ranch, a point then and now one of the most unfrequented places near Santa Rosa. It is a lovely spot at the mouth of a little canon which opens from the Rincon ridge into Pleasant valley.

"There were a number of pine trees in this dreamy and lovely little vale. Here poor Cowie and Fowler were dragged. Destitute of human sympathy, reckless of consequences, the cruel captor, Padilla, three-fingered Jack as he was called, bound them with rawhide riatas to two trees. They were hacked with knives, riddled with bullets, and not satisfied with this their dead bodies were mutilated and dishonored in a brutal manner, and were then pitched into a rivulet which ran down into the beautiful vale below."

Bear Flag at Dedication of Will Rogers State Historic Park

This is a photograph at the dedication of the Will Rogers State Historic Park on October 1, 1944, with the Bear Flag flying.

NAVA 30 Annual Meeting Flag

This is a photograph of the Annual Meeting flag for the 30th Annual Meeting of the North American Vexillological Association, taken in 2008.

Bear Flag San Francisco City Hall

These are photographs of a Bear Flag at the San Francisco City Hall in the early 1900s.

Sonoma Index-Tribune Bear Flag Centennial Souvenir Pamphlet

These photographs are of the cover of a Centennial souvenir pamphlet printed by the City of Sonoma's primary newspaper for the Celebration of the 1946 Centennial of the Bear Flag & its Revolt.

Washington Bartlett & the California Bear Flag

According to Peter G. Meyerhof, Lt. Washington Bartlett on the Portsmouth wrote a series of letters in June and July 1846 that were published later that year in Hawaii. In one of these, dated June 25, 1846, he specifically stated that Lt. Missroon reported that Vallejo's wife told Missroon that she did not feel safe looking at the agressive stance of the bear seemingly in combat with the star drawn in front and that this flag should be taken down. The exact words Bartlett used to describe the bear were "the Bear on his haunches going at it!"

This statement would seem to match with a standing bear, rather than one on all fours. Where to put the statement by Bartlett as evidence is more difficult!

1900 NSGW Parade with Bear Flag

These are photographs from a 1900 Native Sons of the Golden West parade. 1900 was the 50th Anniversary of California's Admission as a State and this may very well be from one of the events celebrating this Anniversary.

Mini Bear Flag

This is a photograph of a minature Bear Flag which is in the collection of the Bear Flag Museum. Notice the nice, red tongue sticking out of the Bear's mouth. We do not know the timing of making of this flag, although most likely it was created before 1955 and it is possibly of Japanese origin.

Bear Flag at Anaheim Civic Ceneter

A photograph of the Anaheim, CA Civic Center in 1980, showing the Bear Flag with other flags. An image contributed to Calisphere by the Anaheim Public Library and created by the Anaheim Public Information Office.

Whitney Smith & the Bear Flag

Some years ago, we heard that Dr. Whitney Smith has asserted the that the Bear Flag Revolt is the only known insurgency named after its flag.

Smith is the father of vexillology, the scholarly study of flags; and the founder of NAVA, the North American Vexillological Association; as well as having written numerous books on flags. He is generally recognized as the world's greatest flag expert.

Bear Flag in South Lake Tahoe, 2008

This is a photograph of the Bear Flag flying at South Lake Tahoe in late March 2008

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The Bear Flag in Cleland's History of California

From Robert Glass Cleland's A History of California: The American Period (1922 The Macmillan Company):

"In the meanwhile Ide was elected captain of the company in the place of Grigsby, who seems to have become somewhat alarmed at the progress the movement... was taking under his leadership; and the Republic of California was soon brought into being. As a first step in the creation of the new government, William Todd, an enthusiastic member of the revolution, designed the flag. This was made from a piece of unbleached cotton cloth, five feet long and three feet wide. In the upper left hand corner a five pointed star was roughly painted with red ink, while facing this stood the crude figure of a grizzly bear, which gave both the flag and the republic its familiar name. A strip of red flannel on the lower edge of the cotton and the words CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC, done in red, completed the design."

NDGW 1920 Admission Day Parade

These photographs are of some Native Daughters of the Golden West at the 1920 California Admission Day parade, with the California Bear Flag.

Schwarzenegger & the Bear Flag

A photograph of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger taken by Zahur Ramji.

Bear Flag out of my Living Room Window

This is a photograph of the California Bear Flag taken out of my living room window during the fall of 2009.

Preble on the California Bear Flag

From George Henry Preble's Origin and History of the American Flag(1880):

"The bear flag which was raised at Sonoma, California, June 14, 1846, is now in the possession of the Pioneer Society at San Francisco. It was made of white cotton and red flannel, the skirts of an old lady, and had painted on it the semblance of a grizzly bear. The artist was so unfortunate in his effort that the Spaniards called it the ' Bandera Colchis, ' or ' hog flag.' The army which raised this flag and undertook to revolutionize a State consisted of fourteen Americans."

Preble's book is an early and important history of flags, but when it comes to the California Bear Flag, he just does not provide us with much.

Rose Parade Float with Bear Flag

Above is a Rose Parade float sponsored by the City of Inglewood, CA, which has a floral California Bear Flag at its front. January 1, 1953, Inglewood Public Library.