Bear Flag Museum

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

2012-01-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today is the 5th Anniversary of the Bear Flag Museum going online and beginning to share with the public. It has been an interesting 5 years for certain.

The next months offers us the opportunity to grow even further in developing our status and sharing more information with you.

We spoke this past Saturday at a banquet of the leaders of the Native Sons of the Golden West and look forward to future opportunities to work with the Sons in sharing the history of the Bear Flag with Californians.

Thanks for visiting and sharing.

Graphic Elements of the California Bear Flag

2011-12-26T15:02:00.000-08:00

An interesting two part blog on the elements of the Bear Flag from the view point of a graphic artists, Jason Smith, Art & Design Director and Ross McClain, Associate Professor of Art, Furman University.

http://www.graphicology.com/blog/2011/12/21/365-state-flag-revisions-california-part-1.html

http://www.graphicology.com/blog/2011/12/23/366-state-flag-revisions-california-part-2.html

1948 DC transit weekly ticket with Bear Flag

2011-12-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

California Flag floating on the breeze

2011-12-24T09:15:00.001-08:00

California Flag Raising

2011-12-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

Over $200 for a 1966 Reagan Bear Flag campaign pin

2011-12-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

This 1966 campaign pin for Ronald Reagan's gubernatorial campaign in California bearing a simplified image of the California Bear Flag image, sans star and stripe, sold this past week on ebay for a whopping $222.76. A pretty amazing sum for a campaign pin.

California Flag Emblem Cod Black ops

2011-11-26T11:34:00.000-08:00

Santa Cruz Republic

2011-11-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

Street Art Bear Flag

2011-10-30T18:04:00.001-07:00

http://melroseandfairfax.blogspot.com/2010/12/california-republic.html

Street art in Los Angeles from a blog.

Interesting pseudo-realistic Bear Flag

2011-10-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

20,000 Hits at the Bear Flag Museum

2011-10-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

In the next few hours, the Bear Flag Museum, www.BearFlagMuseum.org, will reach its 20,000 hit as a website. Exciting to think that so many people have spent a few minutes learning about the Bear Flag on our website. Thank you all and keep on coming.

Who Initiated the Specific Events that Ultimately Led to the Adoption of the Bear Flag as the State Flag of California?

2011-09-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Richard D. Barton.

In 1909, this San Francisco postman/musician, attending the annual convention of the Native Sons of the Golden West proposed that the convention pass a resolution recommending to the California Legislature that it adopt the traditional Bear Flag as the flag of the State of California. His proposal was accepted by the Native Sons, and a Committee was formed to promote the idea to the Legislature. Then, less than two years later, on February 3, 1911, Governor Hiram Johnson signed into law the bill adopting the "Bear Flag" as the California "State Flag."

Bear Flag Drive at home in Sacramento

2011-09-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

We've nicknamed our driveway and properly signed it as "BEAR FLAG Dr" at our home in Sacramento, California.

Bear Flag Sock

2011-09-10T09:52:00.001-07:00

1954 Magazine Ad, Bank of America with Bear Flag

2011-09-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

FYF Festival: Concert Review by Joy C. Mitchell

2011-09-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

Photo by Tod Seelie

in The Hollywood Reporter, 9-6-2011

The FYF Music Festival (formerly known as the F--k Yeah Fest) seems to have overcome its growing pains and become a sort of Coachella-lite for West Coast music lovers. For Saturday’s one-day gathering, a mixture of some 20,000 hipster and skater-types strolled into Los Angeles State Historic Park to see 35 established and buzzing indie bands ....

In contrast to the previous year, where temperatures were a blistering 100-plus degrees and the fest was plagued with complaints of hours-long lines (for everything from water to entry) and disorganization, there was little to no wait for those basic necessities or snacks from food trucks like Fry Smith and the Green Truck. That left more time for fans to check out music....

As an audience member waved a California flag in the air, the punk legends from nearby Hermosa Beach jammed on songs like “Silly Girl,” “Rotting Out,” and “I’m The One,” while fans crowd-surfed and moshed throughout the 60-minute set. From the size of the pit to the audience’s enthusiastic singalong, it was clear that L.A. music fans had missed their local heroes and that at FYF, hometown pride was still alive and well.

2011 Bear Flag Revolt Reenactment Play

2011-08-28T23:41:00.001-07:00

Flags Over California

2011-08-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.militarymuseum.org/Flags_Over_Ca.pdf

Above is a link to a pamphlet published by the State of California about the flags which have flown over California. Although there are a few inaccuracies in the pamphlet, it is a nice summary of California's flag history.

Bear Flag Monument Info

2011-08-07T06:25:00.001-07:00

http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15268

California Burrito Flag

2011-07-11T22:02:00.001-07:00

Large Bear Flag at State Capitol June 2011

2011-07-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Pioneer family member dies in St. Helena - Copyright 2011 The Napa Valley Register

2011-07-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

Copyright 2011 The Napa Valley Register

Jeannine Yeomans | Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2011 12:00 am

Edna May “Babe” McCormick Learned, a member of a pioneer California family among the first to settle the Napa Valley, died June 14 at her home in St. Helena. She was 94.

She counted among her ancestors the McCormick, Hudson and York families, trailblazers who trekked from the Midwest to the Pacific Coast on foot, horseback and wagon train beginning in 1844 to settle in the Napa Valley, then part of the Mexican Territory.

In 1845, the McCormicks joined the Hudson family on the Grigsby Ide Wagon Party and built a cabin for the winter in Calistoga, along with their relatives the Yorks. In the spring of 1846, everyone not of Spanish-Mexican descent was told to leave the area, but the Hudsons and nearly everyone in the wagon party refused. Instead, the families stitched makeshift bear flags from old clothing and took part in the Bear Flag Revolt, demanding California’s independence from Mexico. Several months later, the United States declared war against Mexico and California became a state in 1850.

Babe’s grandmother Molly Hudson, born at the start of the revolt, became known as the “Bear Flag Baby” and for that distinction she received $100 a year from the San Francisco Society of California Pioneers. In 1866, Molly married one of the McCormick boys, Henry Mixer McCormick, and they settled on the ranch, which was a wedding present from her father William Hudson.

Babe, as she was known to all, was born to Ethel Roseberry and John McCormick, Henry and Molly’s son, on Oct. 26, 1916 at the Greer House in St. Helena. She and her late sister, Ina Hart, grew up on the McCormick Ranch, high atop Spring Mountain. Later, during the school year, they lived in the family home on Spring Street.

Babe recalled her days as a girl roller skating on the sidewalks of St. Helena, playing “kick the can” with her friends and walking from the Spring Street home up Sulphur Springs Road to the ranch, a steep hike of about 9 miles.

Babe attended Santa Rosa High School for two years while her older sister Ina was a student at Santa Rosa Junior College. Babe returned to St. Helena High School, where she was elected student body president, only the second young woman so honored. The first was her sister Ina. Babe recalled that she was proud and only slightly embarrassed to admit she passed out cigars during her election campaign to beat her opponent.

After high school Babe attended UC Berkeley, where she planned to major in physical education and later to teach. Her plans were thwarted by the advent of World War II, so she took jobs in San Francisco and Santa Clara before marrying the Marin County man who was love of her life, Ed Learned.

After the war, the Learneds had two children, Sandra and Gary, and cared for her elderly parents as they worked to make the ranch as self-sufficient as possible. They tended cows, sheep, chickens and horses. In 1975, Ed Learned died of cancer, and then their son was killed by a falling tree while at the ranch cutting firewood for the winter. The family credits Babe’s pioneer strength and the help and concern of the entire Napa Valley community for carrying her through that difficult year.

Babe was known for her loving nature, her world-class sense of humor and love of adventure. A girlhood friend, Stella Galli, recalled that Babe was proud of the fact that she first drove a car when she was 8 years old, without her parents’ permission. With Stella as her passenger, Babe ran the family’s Model T Ford into the back of the barn but the girls were not hurt. A family friend, Tom Blanchfield, who grew up near the ranch, remembers that Babe “kept up a good pace” with her driving and when she drove kids down the hill to school in

St. Helena, he says, “That’s when I learned how to be afraid.”

She was highly skilled at using a garden hoe, a shovel or a .22 rifle to kill numerous rattlesnakes that threatened people or animals. When Babe was in her mid-80s, Kathleen Heitz asked her to come over to get a rattlesnake on her front porch, and Babe asked: “Do you want me to hoe it or shoot it?”

Eventually part of the ranch was sold and Babe built a new home in St. Helena. She remained proud of her heritage. Her family’s historic photographs and artifacts have been shared with local community organizations, and 1,000 acres of the McCormick Ranch donated to California State Parks are now part of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Babe’s family says she was always ready for a party, and would contribute the champagne and the chocolate. In fact, she rarely went anywhere without chocolate. She was also known for her desserts, especially coffee crunch cake, which she shared with friends and family on her last birthday.

Babe is survived by her daughter, Sandra Learned Perry, and her son-in-law, Jim Perry, of St. Helena, and her grandsons, Scott Learned Perry and Cole McCormick Perry, who are the sixth generation of the family to live in the Napa Valley. She was buried at the St. Helena Public Cemetery, land that was donated to the city by her family.

An 11 a.m. memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, at Grace Episcopal Church, with First Presbyterian Church pastor Jonathan Eastman, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in Babe’s memory to the St. Helena Historical Society or the charity of choice.

Copyright 2011 The Napa Valley Register

Bear Flag Celebrations

2011-06-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Today is the day on the annual Sonoma Bear Flag celebrations in the Plaza in downtown Sonoma, CA, home of the Bear Flag. We'll be heading to Sonoma for the events in an hour or so. For the first time we will be going just to enjoy the events of the day and eat some BBQ and imbibe a little beer. For the past several years, the Bear Flag Museum has been exhibiting at the event.

So if you live in Northern California or happen to be nearby today, you might want to consider joining the events in celebration of our historic California Bear Flag. It should be a beautiful day!

Crazy Time

2011-04-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

This mid-20th Century Bear Flag just sold on ebay for $305. Even a couple years ago, it would have only fetched $50 - $75, but not any longer.

2011-03-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Bear Flag Revolt

2011-03-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Low Ridin Bear Flag

2011-03-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Diorama of the Bear Flag

2011-03-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Bear Flag near Golden Gate

2011-03-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

A Daryl Cagle "Poor California Bear" cartoon flag

2011-03-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

California Baby Flag

2011-03-12T14:18:00.001-08:00

Limoge Box Bear Flag

2011-03-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

DID YOU KNOW? The Sonoma Plaza

2011-03-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

Sonoma Plaza: Did You Know?

Friday, March 11th, 2011 | Posted by Suzie Rodriguez | no responses

Sonoma’s Plaza, at the very heart of town, symbolizes the dynamic mix of old and new that makes the town special. It’s ancient, but it’s also where residents come to play. They enjoy the lively Tuesday night farmers market, watch the ducks cavort in the pond, meet friends over coffee, or just sit on a bench and watch the world go by.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently recognized the town’s commitment to preserving its history, naming Sonoma one of the nation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2011.

To honor that designation, here are 15 things you might not know about Sonoma Plaza:

1. Sonoma’s Mission San Francisco de Solano was the last of California’s 21 missions, founded in 1824.

2. Gen. Mariano Vallejo established the pueblo at Sonoma, the northernmost base of the Mexican government, in 1835. The Plaza and many of the buildings he erected around it remain today.

3. In its earliest days, the Plaza was a treeless, unattractive cattle yard where animals were frequently slaughtered. Early pioneers wrote about the unpleasant stench that surrounded it.

4. The Blue Wing Adobe, built by Vallejo in 1840, was once the town’s finest hotel (also the finest gambling den and saloon). Over the years, its guests included future generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman, Capt. John C. Fremont and notorious bandit Joaquin Murietta.

5. The plaza’s beloved duck pond got its start in the 1840s, when deep holes were dug for soil used to make adobe bricks. “Low spots existed in the plaza for a long time after that,” says Bob Parmelee, author of “Pioneer Sonoma.”

6. The Bear Flag Revolt’s original flag was made by four men. One of them, William Todd, was nephew of future first lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

7. The Toscano Hotel, built in 1851, is the town’s oldest commercial wood-frame structure. It served as warehouse, general store and lending library, and today is a museum.

8. The Plaza had a railroad depot in the late 1800s that was moved to present-day Depot Park in 1890. Today it houses the Sonoma Valley Historical Society Museum.

9. The Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club campaigned to turn the Plaza into a community park in 1901. A $25 donation from Phoebe Hearst kicked off the fundraising; eventually the club raised enough to plant trees and hire a gardener. They also erected the large rock monument honoring Bear Flaggers.

10. The Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau on the Plaza’s east side is housed in a former Carnegie Library, one of 142 in California funded by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The Classic Revival building stands out in a town known for adobe, Mission and Victorian architecture.

11. Sonoma’s City Hall was deliberately designed to be identical on all four sides so that no Plaza merchant would feel slighted.

12. City Hall was supposed to be finished in 1906, but construction stalled for two years due to the San Francisco earthquake. Workers rushed there to earn the far higher wages involved in rebuilding an entire city.

13. City Hall was often seen in the popular 1980s TV show, Falcon Crest, as the county courthouse.

14. In 1911, a furious fire destroyed many ancient buildings on the Plaza’s eastern side. Since water supplies were too low to help, the fire was extinguished with large quantities of wine stored in vats in the Blue Wing Inn.

15. Air Force Gen. Hap Arnold, known as the father of the modern Air Force, retired to Sonoma in 1945. For years, his aerial artifacts and memorabilia were on view in City Hall’s basement. Now they are on display at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Marine asks Sacramento Mayor for California Flag

2011-03-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

Posted on Mon, Mar. 07, 2011

Mayor, Marine in Afghanistan discuss 'Patrol Base Sacramento'

City Beat: Mayor, Marine in Afghanistan discuss 'Patrol Base Sacramento'

By Ryan Lillisrlillis@sacbee.com

last updated: March 07, 2011 11:24:04 AM

A little piece of Sacramento is headed for the battle grounds of Afghanistan.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said he received a phone call on Friday from Staff Sgt. Anthony Silva III, a Marine fighting in Afghanistan. Silva had three requests of the mayor: a U.S. flag, a California flag and a sign that reads, "Sacramento City Limits," much like the signs on freeways.

Silva told the mayor his unit is building "Patrol Base Sacramento." The Marine couldn't share too much with Johnson, but told the mayor the city limits sign would stand at the entrance of the base.

In an email sent to supporters, Johnson writes the call was "amazing, because it gave perspective to the work we all do and problems we all have."

"Sgt. Silva didn't know about the problems we're dealing with in Sacramento - keeping the Kings, building an entertainment and sports complex, K Street and rail yard redevelopment, the future of Fire Recovery billing, etc."

Johnson is working on getting Silva the flags and the signs, and may enlist the help of other elected officials in the region.

This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use.
Copyright © 2011, The Modesto Bee, 1325 H St., Modesto, CA 95354

Updated Links

2011-02-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

We updated and added to our links at the Bear Flag Museum. It is definitely a good place to begin a search for information.

http://bearflagmuseum.org/Links.html

WOW!!!

2011-02-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

Over the last weeks the Bear Flag Museum's web "hits" have been going crazy. Some days have been 30-50 times more than what we had been receiving. The attention is nice and quite motivating. Makes providing our service very special and makes us want to do more for you.

Thanks to all our visitors! Come back often, please.

2/4/2011 California Report

2011-02-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

By Friday afternoon, February 4, we were in Portland, OR and the Bear Flag Centennial over so we thought. We had just sat down at a tea shop, when my cell phone rang and I answered. It was a producer for "The California Report" and the host wanted to interview me about the Centennial and would call back.

Rachael Myrow called back and interviewed me for about five minutes, maybe a little longer. Later in the day we were able to listen to the Friday magazine of the California Report, which ended its 30 minutes with a salute to the Centennial of the State Flag and a quote from me, Bill Trinkle. It was both fun and exciting and I think brought us some more attention. An exciting week!

Our State Flag Centennial

2011-02-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

On February 3, 2011, I drove with my daughter, Katee to the California State Capitol. We took into the Capitol a 3' x 5' standard version California Flag and a package of our small 4" x 6" Centennial Bear Flags. We took photographs inside the Capitol in its Rotunda, in front of the Bear outside the Governor's office, and in front of the official painting of Governor Hiram Johnson. We then traveled outside and took photographs of the flag in front of the west and north sides of the Capitol.

The Bear Flag Museum has in its collection a Bear Flag displayed at the California Capitol on the Centennial of the adoption of that flag in the very same building in 1911.

HAPPY 100TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE FLAG

2011-02-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

Copy of Senate Bill signed

Governor Hiram Johnson

During the evening of February 3, 1911, California Governor Hiram Johnson signed into law, effective immediately, the bill making the Bear Flag the official flag of the State of California. That makes today the 100th Anniversary, the Centennial of that event. Fly you Bear Flag proudly.

Article in the Sacramento Bee

2011-01-30T13:17:00.001-08:00

Friends, check your Sacramento Bee tomorrow, 1/31/2011 for an interview with me and some images we provided, all on the Centennial of the California State Flag. You can find the Bee online.

Almost Centennial

2011-01-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

The Centennial of the California State Flag is little more than a week away now. On February 3, 2011, it will be exactly 0ne hundred years since Governor Hiram Johnson signed the bill which took effect immediately making the Bear Flag the California State Flag.

Little use of Bear Flag in 2010 elections

2010-10-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Except for defeated, Republican candidate for Governor, Steve Poizner, 2010 has been a scarce year for use of the Bear Flag in California election campaigns. Poizner had a bear as part of his logo. Otherwise, the only other image of the Bear Flag we have seen is in a photo of Jerry Brown running for Governor as a Democrat.

1910 NSGW Parade

2010-08-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

Tax Revolt Bear Flag

2010-07-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

HOW I HELPED TO RAISE THE OLD BEAR FLAG

2010-07-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

HOW I HELPED TO RAISE THE OLD BEAR FLAG
By Henry Fowler, A Pioneer of 1844
The Bear Flag was made by William Tod, a relative of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and hoisted while the prisoners were taken to Sutter's Fort. Tod was later captured by some Mexicans, but subsequently rescued.
The original Bear flag was made of the poorest quality of linen—an undergarment taken from a clothesline. Now the flag at present recognized is made of fair material. Besides, the bear is in a different attitude, being in the original just rising on his haunches, with both paws
extended, while in this he is on all four feet. The original is still in Pioneer Hall, San Francisco, and should be adopted. It is much worn and effaced, but the powder color remains together with slight traces of the red. Jacob P. Leese, General Vallejo’s brother-in-law, told me that after
his release from Sutter's Fort he wentdown to the river near by and saw a red Bear
flag floating on a launch. He gave a kanaka $5 to steal it for him, and this and Fremont's battle-flag, which had been stolen from the fort by Leese, were. taken by the latter and left with Jacob Snyder of Sonoma. What became of the Bear flag after that I do not know.

Bear Flag at Will Rogers State Beach 1942

2010-07-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is the Bear Flag flying at the dedication of Will Rogers State Beach. Will Rogers was a humorist during the first half of the 20th Century. The dedication took place on July 26, 1942 with California Governor Culbert Olson and L. A. Mayor Fletcher Bowron present for the festivities, according to the Los Angeles Times.

NATIVE SONS' BALL IS LARGE SUCCESS

2010-06-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

A large number of members of the
Native Sons parlors of the bay cities at-
tended the uniform ball given last night
at Maple Hall, Fourteenth and Webster
streets, by the members of Piedmont
Parlor, No. 120. N. S. G. W.
Tho grand march was led by James
Barry, president of Piedmont Pnrlor. and
Walter J. Herkenham and J. A. Cosgrove
acted as door managers.
The hall was decorated with the national
colors and the California bear flag.

1909-05-25 Oakland Tribune"

James McChristian in 1910

2010-06-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

8-28-1910 Oakland Trbune

"Pioneer Honored Guest in Parade"

SANTA ROSA, Aug. 27.—James McChristian, who stood on the historic plaza at Sonoma and watched the Bear Flag run up to the top of the old flag pole, will ride as a guest of honor in the Sonoma county contingent of Native Sons in the great Admission Day parade in San Francisco. The old pioneer is awaiting the occasion with much interest and will be accorded a very warm reception when his identity is known as the parade swings along. All the parlors in Sonoma county will parade in neat uniforms
and will carry a huge Bear Flag, fifty feet long and forty broad. Scores of members.will assist In bearing the flag aloft in the parade. For weeks the Native- Sons have been
planning for the part they will take in the parade and celebration. Several thousand people will go from this county to the celebration."

Oakland Tribune March 12, 1911 & the State Flag

2010-06-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday morning, March 12, 1911, the Oakland Tribune published an article regarding the new California law making the Bear Flag the State Flag, including the entire language of the statute signed into law.

The article also has a not very attractive line-drawing of the Bear Flag.

2010 Bear Flag flying with One Grommet

2010-06-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is an April 2010 photograph taken in Sacramento, CA of a California Bear Flag blowing in the rainy wind with only one grommet, and just barely holding on.

Final Lowering of Bear Flag at Wooden Valley Elementary

2010-06-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is a June 9, 2010 photograph from the Sacramento Bee showing the California Bear Flag being lowered for the final time at the one room school, Wooden Valley Elementary School.

Bear Flag History in Sonoma

2010-06-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

We were honored Sunday at Sonoma, when the historian of the Native Sons of the Golden West gave a rendition about the facts of the creation and timing of the creation of the Bear Flag which we could tell from its language came from resources of the Bear Flag Museum. Most importantly, he indicated that the best we know about the timing of the creation is that it occurred at some point between June 14 and 17, 1846.

One small step for Bear Flag historical accuracy....

Bear Flag Day

2010-06-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

Monday is June 14th. Besides being U. S. Flag Day, it is also the day traditionally celebrated in commemoration of the creation and first raising of Bear Flag in Sonoma at the start of the Bear Flag Revolt. Fact is we do not know for certain when the Bear Flag was created, except that it was flying by noon June 17th, 1846 and probably was made at Sonoma after Sonoma was captured on the morning of June 14th.

Regardless, HAPPY BEAR FLAG DAY for the one hundred-sixty-fourth anniversary of the California Bear Flag.

Riders of the Royal Blue with Bear flag

2010-06-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

A photograph of the Riders of the Royal Blue from the San Gabriel Valley of California, with the Bear Flag in the background. We would estimate the photo as from the 1950s.

1938 California Orange Ball Bear Flag

2010-06-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

This photograph was recently acquired by the BFM and shows a 1938 Bear Flag from fruit created for the California Orange Ball.

Annual California Bear Flag Celebration

2010-06-06T08:35:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday, June 13, 2010, the Bear Flag Museum will be exhibiting in the Plaza in Sonoma, CA as part of the annual Bear Flag Celebration which has been held there since shortly after 1846.

There is a ceremony raising the Bear Flag on the pole in the Plaza, near the Bear Flag Monuments. There is a BBQ and microbrew festival as well. Sonoma has a lovely and quaint downtown. Come by and see us!

The flag, above, is in the Sonoma Barracks and dates from 1896.

CaliforniaGrizzly Bear

2010-06-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

"The grisly bear is here to be found in all places where there is not much passing and repassing of human beings.... The grisly Bear of California is the most savage animal to be found in it. It is a very dangerous animal when attacked, but in all my [22 years] travels in California, in the course of which I have see...n several hundreds, I have never known a single instance of a bear attacking a man, unless the man has in some way or other molested the bear."

William Robert Garner, 11/5 & 12/1/1846 Letters.

If this, savage but only when molested first, is what the Bear Flaggers intended by the use of the grizzly, then it seems a rather apt choice, don't you think? 12510

Sneaker Bear Flag 2010

2010-06-02T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is the Bear Flag creation of a student in Yuba City, California, using sneakers as the design element.

Larkin in 1846 on the California Bear Flag

2010-05-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Thomas O. Larkin, 07/18/1846:

"On the 14th June at sunrise, thirty four foreigners, some of them Americans, took posession of the town of Sonoma... and forming themselves into a company under the command of William B. Ide... fortified the town. On the following day, Commander Ide issued a Proclamation to the people and hoisted a new flag, having a white field with a red border, and a Bear and a Star in the middle;...."

Larkin, U.S. Consul, who was not present in Sonoma, says the Bear Flag was raised on June 15, 1846; the day after the taking of Sonoma. 12410

William Robert Garner related to the Bear Flag

2010-05-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

William Robert Garner was a resident of California in 1846. In 1846 & ‘47 he wrote letters to two U.S. newspapers about matters in California.

In October 1846, Garner wrote: "Common ... cloth has always been worth ... twelve ... dollars a yard,.... At present there is not a piece of domestic cotton or even thread [in Alta California], that does not come from the United States of America;....'

If we credit Garner’s statements, and we have no reason to doubt them, this would mean that our dear ol’ original, California Bear Flag was made of cotton domestic which was made in the U.S. of A. and sewn with U.S. thread.

An interesting twist on an old tale, don’t you think?

2010 Bear Flag Pillows - Jaye Lapachet

2010-05-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Above are photographs of hand made pillows made by Jaye Lapachet auctioned at the Grand Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West, held during the week of May 17-21, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park, CA. The auction was to raise money for the NSGW Charitable Foundation.

The NSGW Charitable Foundation site is http://www.calnative.org/nsgwweb/cleft.htm. Please donate to to the Foundation if you can.

Jaye Lapachet's website/blog is http://artquiltmaker.com/blog/. Please check her blog out!

The photographs shown above are owned by and copyrighted to Jaye Lapachet. Please follow the policies and procedures at her blog site if you plan on using the photographs.

Bear Flag Over Fairmont, San Francisco

2010-05-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

This is a photograph of the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco, CA with a Bear Flag flying over the main entrance of the hotel, with many other flags flying as well.

1953 Pioneer Flag Bear Flag

2010-05-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Maurice Perstein and Leland S. Tennant, owners of the Pioneer Flag Company watch Mrs. Grace Stevens sewing a California Bear Flag, October 8, 1953. From the collection of the San Francisco Public Library

How many claws do you have Mr. Bear?

2010-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

The California Bear Flag’s design was standardized in 1953, by statute signed into law by Governor Earl Warren. One of the details of the bear as shown on the design of the flag relates to its claws. According to the 1954 manufacturing specifications, the bear has a total of 15 claws showing, white in color. 4 claws on the left front paw; 3 claws on the right front paw; 5 claws on the left rear paw; and finally, 3 claws on the right rear paw. Just so you know. Now memorize that!

If you don’t believe me, check the California State Flag Design & Manufacture Specifications (1954 – 1959) at www.BearFlagMuseum.org under the Bear Flag Law page.

California Tax Revolt Bear Flag

2010-05-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

Larkin report 7/1846 on the California Bear Flag

2010-05-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

Thomas O. Larkin, 07/18/1846: "On the 14th June at sunrise, thirty four foreigners, some of them Americans, took posession of the town of Sonoma... and forming themselves into a company under the command of William B. Ide... fortified the town. On the following day, Commander Ide issued a Proclamation to the people and hoisted a new flag, having a white field with a red border, and a Bear and a Star in the middle;...."

Larkin, U.S. Consul, who was not present in Sonoma, says the Bear Flag was raised on June 15, 1846; the day after the taking of Sonoma. 12410

California Bear Flag in 1899 Parade

2010-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

From the July 7, 1899 The Hayward Review on the 4th of July 1899 Parade in Hayward, CA:

"Behind them came the float, representing California. This was one of the tastiest floats in line and brought forth cheer after cheer from the crowds. The float was a mass of yellow, with a profusion of California poppies. Miss Elsie... Ruppricht represented California and sat on a hill, and above was an arch bearing the inscription 'Eden Parlor, No. 113, N. S. G. W.' She was crowned with poppies and in her hand held the bear flag of California. A magnificent specimen of the California bear was at her left side and on the hillside beneath him, holding him by a yellow ribbon,was a little native daughter, Clara Drews."

Sounds like a lovely parade, don't you think?"

Another Bear Flag ready for AARP membership

2010-05-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

This is another older version of the Bear Flag. Notice the smaller head on the bear and the almost flat grass plat on which he stands. This image may be derived from the California Blue Book which for many years included an image of the Bear Flag.

John Bidwell on the Bear Flag

2010-05-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

From John Bidwell's 1889 interview FREMONT IN THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA:

"Once E. M. Kern gave Bidwell to believe that Fremont had made Kern 'an equal, if not the principal custodian' of the Bear Flag Revolt prisoners at New Helvetia, 'Lieutenant Washington A. Bartlett of the United States Navy arrived from the bay, inquiring for Fremont .... he was sent to learn what it meant. So he went over to Sonoma with me. On our arrival Fremont was still absent trying to find the enemy, but that evening he returned. The Bear Flag was still flying, and had been for a week or more. The American flag was nowhere displayed." 1710

Bear Flag for President Hoover

2010-05-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

This is a 1929/30 photograph of a California Bear Flag to be presented to President Herbert Hoover. The Bear Flag Museum recently acquired an 8" x 10" version of this photograph

Bear Flagger Delegates

2010-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

How many of the delegates to the California Constitutional Convention in 1849 were Bear Flaggers?

Answer: Only one, the President of the Convention, Robert Semple.

Interestingly though, John A. Sutter, Mariano Vallejo & Thomas O. Larkin, important personages in California and involved in the events of 1846, were delegates to that Convention. 1510

No Fear Sexy Bear Flag T Shirt

2010-05-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

Bear Flagger?

2010-05-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a question for you: What is it that makes someone a "Bear Flagger?" It is a question we have never seen addressed nor answered in Bear Flag literature. Over the years there have been a lot of "lists" of the Bear Flaggers, but so far as we are aware, none of those lists declared what it was that made one a member.There actually probably isn't an answer, just a series of opinions. What are some of the options?

To be a Bear Flagger, did you have to be present at the taking of Sonoma in 1846? Or did you have to be one of the men who took the horses from Mexican Lt.Arce? Or do you just need to have supported the Revolt, at some point before it for all purposes ended on July 9, 1846? If it just required support of the Revolt, could that support be passive and undeclared or did one need to do something which said to the other Revolters and/or to the Mexican authorities that you were on the side of the Revolt?

Bear Flag in Sonoma with Cow

2010-04-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Grizzly Statue at UCLA

2010-04-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

Bear Flag Charm

2010-04-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

Jerry Brown Bear Flag

2010-04-25T18:52:00.001-07:00

California Attorney General, candidate for governor, Jerry Brown in front of a California Bear Flag

Differently Shaded Bear Flag image

2010-04-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

Fred B. Rogers on the Bear Flag

2010-04-24T23:42:00.000-07:00

From William Brown Ide, Bear Flagger:

"Back at Sonoma a flag was needed to replace that of Mexico, usually flown on the staff in front of the barracks.... Certain it is that the completed flag showed on its upper right (observer's left) a single star in red; above the red stripe were the words CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC, out...lined in black; and above that lettering , facing the star and also in red, was a crude representation of a grizzly bear standing on all fours. Todd made, partially erased, and corrected an error in the spelling of REPUBLIC.... Certainly also, Henry L. Ford must be conceded the distinction of having suggested as the central figure of the flag the grizzly bear, highly respected as a fighter by Americans and Californians alike."

Fred B. Rogers who wrote this was one of, if not thee most important historians of the Bear Flag Revolt during the 20th Century.

1954 Inglewood City Hall with Bear Flag

2010-04-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is a March 26, 1954 photograph of the dedication of the Inglewood City Hall with the Bear Flag flying on a pole above the building.

A Different Bear Flag Sticker

2010-04-22T07:11:00.001-07:00

Older Bear Flag Image

2010-04-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

August 2007 Bear Flag

2010-04-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

This is an August 2007 photograph by solarbreeze69 from Flickr, showing a nice image of the Bear Flag.

Poizner Bear Flag usage

2010-04-18T22:36:00.001-07:00

Of the three major party candidates for California Governor, to date only Republican Steve Poizner is using the Bear Flag image as part of his election brand. Use of the Bear Flag image is fairly common, but not so far in this campaign.

This button was recently added to the collection of the Bear Flag Museum. There is also an oval shaped Poizner button, we have seen.

Harvey Porterfield on the Bear Flag

2010-04-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

In 1896, R. A. Thompson stated that Harvey Porterfield said the Bear Flag 'was made in a building on the northeast side of the [Sonoma] plaza .... ' He said 'he thinks Todd and Storm and Dewell made it. He remembers distinctly that Todd painted the bear with a brush he made of horsehair tied to a stick. The flag was white with a red strip at the bottom with a star and a bear. The bear and star were painted with a reddish-brown paint which was found among the tools in the building. He remembers that very clearly and that Storm, Todd and Dewell were there. The flag was raised the same day ....' Porterfield was one of the men who raised the flag. 12269

Some interesting details. Made in a building on the northeast corner of Sonoma Plaza. Todd, Storm & Dewell made it. A stick with horsehair tied to it Reddish-brown paint. Raised the same day.

"California Theocracy" Bear Flag

2010-04-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

Bear Flag at Booneville, CA

2010-04-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

This is a photograph of the Bear Flag flying at the Booneville High School.

Peter Storm with His Bear Flag

2010-04-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

A photograph if Peter Storm with his Bear Flag.

What the Bear Flag Would Look Like if the Bear was a Polar Bear.

2010-04-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is a recent rendition of someone's idea of what the California Flag would look like if instead of a grizzly bear it was a polar bear on the Bear Flag. Just a little fun!

Southwest Airlines Bear Flag Model Airplane

2010-04-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

A desktop sized model of Southwest Airlines California Bear Flag style airplane. One of these was recently acquired by the Bear Flag Museum.

Bancroft on the Bear Flag Part 3

2010-04-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

"I think there can be no doubt that William L. Todd was the artist who painted it; but respecting the accuracy of many other current details grave doubts arise from conflicting testimony. Who first suggested the component emblems of the banner; who furnished the cotton, and who the flannel; whence came the red paint; was the cloth new or old; had the flannel graced the undergarment of a fair and patriotic lady; or had it filled an humbler station a part of a man's red shirt; who manipulated the needle and thread; who merely 'stood around' in the artist's way; whose knife was borrowed to cut the stuff; and was that knife ever returned to its owner -- these are questions that I cannot answer so definitely a might be desired; but on some of them the reader may find light in the appended note."

H. H. Bancroft History of California Making of the Flag.

1930 Bear Flag P.T.A. Photograph

2010-04-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

This is photograph from the "Examiner REFERENCE LIBRARY" received by the library on June 1, 1930. The photograph was published, presumably in the Examiner, with the following caption: "MRS. ROBERT L. CARDIFF, State president of the Congress of Parents and Teachers, with Virginia Myers of Denver, who carried the California bear flag in the processional at the national convention of the P.T.A." This photograph with a copy of the newspaper article and caption on its back were recently acquired by the Bear Flag Museum.

The wording on the flag is in unusually tall font. The bear has more of a stubby tail than common as well as standing flat-footed except for his right rear foot. The bear is standing not on a solid grass plat as in the present flag, but with a rendering of the ground with some grass tufts of irregular design.

Bancroft on the Bear Flag Part 2

2010-04-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

"For materials they took what they could find; that is, a piece of common unbleached cotton cloth, the manta of the Mexicans, somewhat less than a yard in width and five feet long, and some strips of red flannel about four inches wide. The flannel, the stripe of the flag, made of the requisite length by piecing, was sewn to the bottom of the cotton. In the upper left-hand corner of the white field was outlined in ink, and filled in with red paint, an irregular five-pointed star, fifteen inches in its greatest diameter. Just to the right of the star, and facing it, was painted in like manner what was intended for a bear, statant, though it has been pronounced more like a hog by experts who cared little for the feelings of the last-named animal. Under the two emblems was rudely lettered in black ink CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC. Such was the famous Bear Flag, which has given a name to the revolution, and which caused the insurgents to be known to the natives as Osos."

H. H. Bancroft History of California, Making of the Flag.

To be continued........

Bancroft on the Bear Flag

2010-04-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

"The need of a banner was naturally one of first suggested. The insurgents had no right to unfurl the stars and stripes, as many of them would doubtless have preferred to do; yet any flag devised by Americans must needs have at least a star and a stripe; and the appropriateness of a lone star could not fail to suggest itself to men familiar with the history of Texas, and the similarity of condition between that country and what they hoped to make of California. A simple copy would not, however, suffice, and an additional emblem was required. Somebody proposed the grizzly bear, an animal then common in those regions, and whose reputation for 'strength and unyielding resistance' could be attested by every one of those resolute hunters from personal experience."

H. H. Bancroft History of California "Making of the Flag"

To be continued......

Bear on State Parks Emblem

2010-04-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the California grizzly on the standard design California State Parks emblem. This was taken at Sutter's Fort in 2010.

When did the words get placed on the Bear Flag?

2010-04-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

R. A. Thompson noted in 1885, possibly for the first time, that Lt. John Missroon’s June 17, 1846 report, the first written description of the original Bear Flag ('hoisted a flag with a white field, with a border or stripe of red on the lower part, and having a bear and star upon it.'), the 'words ‘California Republic’ were not on it at this time , or of course so important a feature would have been noted by Lieutenant Missroon ....'

This is a very interesting point. It would seem likely that Missroon would have noticed these important words if they had been on the flag on June 17th. Or it is possible that Missroon could not see the words as it flew from the top of a flag pole, as was suggested as a possibilty by Peter Meyerhof. The only thing we know for certain is that the words were on the Bear Flag which was lowered on July 9, 1846. This is the flag which became the model for most later flags, including our State Flag. 12259

1951 Bear Flag Donation

2010-04-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

A May 23, 1951 photograph showing a Charles Navarro giving a Bear Flag to Martin Shakley.

California Bear Flag from Beginnings of S.F.

2010-04-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

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 o...f 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." 12279

1857 California Admission Day

2010-03-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

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." 12239

Love the Place You Live Bear Flag

2010-03-30T22:23:00.001-07:00

Love the Place You Live posted online this enhanced version of the California Bear Flag some months ago. They made concerted effort to do a nice job with the bear.