Frame Size (H x L): 28.5” x 35”
Flag Size (H x L): 17.5” x 24” 

Offered is a forty-five star parade flag, printed on cotton bunting.  We have encountered this style flag before, but never with this overprint:

WELCOME
TEDDY!
EVANSTON WYOMING
MAY 29 1903   

In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26^th President of the United States, embarked on an ambitious eight-week journey, spanning 25 states and covering a staggering 14,000 miles. This expedition was not merely a whistle-stop tour; it was a testament to Roosevelt's energy, his affinity for the American West, and his commitment to conservation and the American spirit. While the entire trip was momentous, his visit to Evanston, Wyoming, holds a particular significance in this grand narrative.

Evanston, situated in southwest Wyoming, epitomized the rugged charm and challenges of the American frontier. By the time Roosevelt's train steamed into the town on the evening of May 29^th, 1903, the town was abuzz with anticipation. Residents from not just Evanston but from surrounding states—Utah, Idaho, and Colorado—had gathered to witness the presidential visit. According to reports, the crowd numbered an impressive 7,000, underscoring the monumental importance of this visit to the local populace.

The gathering in Evanston was not just about seeing the President; it was an opportunity for the citizens of this frontier town to engage with the broader national narrative. Roosevelt, ever the master orator, did not disappoint. During his speech, he touched upon resource development, the significance of good citizenship, and the importance of conservation.

Roosevelt's 1903 tour was marked by his dedication to the Reclamation Act of 1902. As he moved from town to town, he emphasized how the act was a cornerstone for the West's future, ensuring that vast tracts of arid land could be transformed into fertile ground, supporting communities and ensuring sustainable growth. For towns like Evanston, this message would have resonated deeply, offering a vision of progress and prosperity.

But what truly set Roosevelt apart was his ability to connect with people on a personal level. It was not just about policies and political discourse. In towns like Evanston, his path from the train to the speaking platform was often strewn with flowers, a gesture of genuine affection from the residents. He recognized the value of every individual, often stating that the strength of the nation lay in its average citizen. In Evanston, as in many other stops, this message of empowerment and unity would have invigorated the gathered crowd.

Though the President's stay in Evanston was brief—just 20 minutes—it left an indelible mark. It wasn't merely a fleeting presidential visit; it was a validation for the town and its people. In those 20 minutes, Evanston became part of a larger narrative, woven into the tapestry of Roosevelt's vision for the American West.

In the broader scope of Roosevelt's 1903 western tour, with its emphasis on conservation, community, and development, towns like Evanston stood as symbols of the American spirit: resilient, hopeful, and ever forward-looking. Through his journey, Roosevelt not only captured the imagination of a nation but also left behind a legacy of inspiration for the countless small communities that dotted the vast expanse of the American West.

STAR CONFIGURATION
The flag offered herein includes a medallion star pattern with an inner ring, a middle ring, and an outer ring.  The pattern also includes a star inside of the inner ring, and four flanking stars outside of the outer ring.  This particular medallion is made up of only a single star size.  In contrast, most medallions include a larger center star, or a pattern of stars that gets slightly smaller when moving outwards.

Medallions date to at least as early as the 1840s, and they reached their peak between 1861 and 1876.  By the 1890s, medallions were rarely used, and linear arrangements became the norm.  Why this occurred is unclear, as flag makers had the freedom to place the stars however they liked until 1912, the time at which President Taft issued Executive Order 1556, establishing the arrangement of the stars into rectilinear rows.  This flag—which dates to between 1896 and 1907—is an unusually late example of a flag with a medallion pattern.      

Of additional interest, this flag’s stars are somewhat large in nature and crunched together, such that their arms are intertwined with one another.  Further, this flag is very square in its proportions.  Just like the rectilinear star pattern, the modern proportions of the flag were not defined until 1912 in President Taft’s Executive Order.     

FORTY-FIVE STAR FLAGS GENERALLY
The forty-five star flag represents the inclusion of Utah to the Union.  Utah was admitted on January 4th, 1896, and this flag became official on July 4th, 1896.  Presidents Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, and Teddy Roosevelt served under this flag, and the Spanish-American War was fought under it.

In 1848 Utah became a territory of the United States, and in 1849 its constitution was established as the Mormon State of Deseret.  The next year, the State of Deseret applied to become a state, but Congress rejected the application and changed its name to the Utah Territory, which included the entirety of Nevada and portions of Colorado and Wyoming (as a section of the Missouri Compromise).  Despite its continued efforts to gain statehood, it remained a territory, partially as a result of the Mormon Church and Utah authorities being openly tolerant of polygamy.  In 1890 Utah outlawed the practice, and in 1896 Utah finally became the forty-fifth state.  The forty-five star flag was official for 12 years up until July 4th, 1908, when the forty-six star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of Oklahoma in the Union.

Conservation Process: This flag was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the flag, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The flag is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame.  

Condition Report: There is staining and fading throughout.  There are tears and areas of loss.  The flag is stable and attractive.

Collectability Level: The Best – Perfect for Advanced Collectors 
Date of Origin: 1903 
Number of Stars: 45
Associated State: Utah