The Lone Star Flag of Texas

When people buy a home in The Woodlands, they rarely know that Montgomery County has a distinction not found in other counties around the state. As people learn of the history of this area, visions of ranchers in the wild west come to mind. I could tell you lots of stories that have become legends in these parts. But I will simply give you the one that I know to be fact today.

On May 30, 1997 Governor George Bush signed House Resolution #1123 proclaiming Montgomery County as the Bithplace of the Texas Flag.

It began as the vision of postmaster and pharmacist Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart from the city of Montgomery in the Republic of Texas. As the Republic's first Secretary of State, Dr Stewart was appointed by President Mirabeau B Lamar to serve with Thomas Barnett and Richard Ellis to create an official flag. Dr Stewart sketched on vellum the design without color - simply labeling the rectangles blue, white and red. These colors signify loyalty, purity and bravery.

President Lamar approved the design on January 25, 1839. When Texas became a state in 1845. the Lone Star Flag became the state flag. The N H Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum in Montgomery has a replica of the original vellum design. The original is housed in the Texas State Archives.