Cherokee County Sponsors Texas Flag Project
By Deborah Burkett, Chairman, Cherokee County Historical Commission
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
A Texas Flag Project initiated by the Cherokee County Historical Commission (CCHC) has begun. Their goal for 2016 is to eventually have 180 large Texas flags displayed throughout the county, as well as smaller flags displayed on counter tops in schools, libraries and businesses. To facilitate this, CCHC has purchased flags and is distributing them with the support of County Judge Chris Davis and county commissioners Bryon Underwood, Kelly Traylor, Steve Norton and Katherine Pinotti.
CCHC is also working with civic organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville to hang flags at various times throughout this special 180th year. Appreciation goes to Randy Jackson (Kiwanis Club) for leadership in terms of displaying the Texas flags in Jacksonville. In addition, Chamber President Peggy Renfro has been involved in the planning of the Flag project for months. Others have purchased their own flags through this CCHC project, such as businessman Randy Gorham and also the Jacksonville Wednesday Study Club. Kudos to those who are erecting large outdoor flag poles such as board members of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County in Rusk.
History of the flag: Texas has had three official national or state flags during its existence: the 1836 national standard, the 1836 national flag for the naval service, and the 1839 national flag, which became the state flag. Stephen F. Austin designed a proposed Texas flag that was never adopted, and some authorities also claim that Lorenzo de Zavala designed a Republic of Texas flag. Austin designed his flag in New Orleans between December 1835 and January 1836, while he was serving as a commissioner to the United States. The design apparently used sixteen green and white stripes, a red and white English jack in the canton, and a red and white star in the fly.
So, if you like a good party and always want to be included in the festivities, this is the year for you! All over the state countless Texas-sized celebrations are planned because 2016 is an especially important year.
It's the 180th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836 at Washington on the Brazos. It was March 2, 1836 when 59 delegates bravely met in Washington, Texas, to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico.
Cherokee County Activities include: Monday Feb 29th, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Commissioners' Courtroom in Rusk, County Judge Chris Davis will speak on Historical Travelers on the El Camino Real. Refreshments will be served in the foyer of the courthouse by the Rusk Tuesday Study Club, the DAR Major Thaddeus Beall Chapter of Jacksonville and the Cherokee County Historical Commission. Everyone's welcome.
On Texas Independence Day, March 2nd both county museums will be open 10 to 4 pm. There's no better place to learn about history than the Vanishing Texana Museum in Jacksonville and the Heritage Center of Cherokee County in Rusk. Then on March 17th beginning at 4 pm at the Rusk Public Library will be an outdoor picnic with Texas music. After the picnic, festivities will continue in the library.
Other 180th activities planned for 2016 include a special event, April 19th, 7:30 pm, at Jacksonville College--Senator Robert Nichols will present a program on "History of the Boundaries of Texas".
Also scheduled in the ensuing months are: a pioneer gala, blues festival, quilt show, bar-b-que cookouts and dancing. Like I said, we're going to party all year!
Thanks to all in the county who are volunteering such as court house employees, Don McCormack, Barbara Ford and Terry Brooks. I photographed them as they worked to put additional grommets on the flags so they could be hung around the gazebo at the courthouse.
Members of the 180th committee are: County Judge Chris Davis, Deborah Burkett, Cherokee County Historical Commission; Patricia Richey, Jacksonville College; Betty Marcontell, Heritage Center of Cherokee County; Amy Derrington, Rusk Singletary Memorial Library; Virginia Singletary, Stella Hill Memorial Library in Alto, Edna Haberle, Vanishing Texana Museum and Trina Stidham, Jacksonville Public Library.
