Have you ever taken a close look at Austin’s crest? To the undiscerning eye, it may not appear to have much to do with the Capital City, so we’re here to share what its imagery means.
The flag was designed by artist Ray F. Coyle from San Francisco, who received $50 in winnings, in a contest called by Mayor A. P. Wooldridge in 1915. The flag was adopted by the city council in 1919.
Let’s peek at the elements.
The coat of arms
The wings and cross were pulled from the family coat of arms of Stephen F. Austin — aka the namesake of the Capital City. The shield colors match those of the Texas and US flags.
The lamp
The gold oil lamp, or the “lamp of knowledge,” signifies the “educational advantages” of living in Austin. Shout out to the many institutions of higher learning in the city.
The Capitol Building
Look behind the wings to see an outline of the Texas Capitol, which was 31 years old when the flag was accepted, in red and outlined in blue.
