A Tale Of Two Cities
Do We Need A New Flag?
Or do we just need to use it better?
I moved back here from Chicago in August, 2005, and my wife just followed last weekend. Over the course of a year and a half living there and then a number of visits since returning to Buffalo, I've had ample time to contemplate the similarities and differences between the two cities- I've often described Chicago as Buffalo-on-steroids, to be honest. They share a history of growth fueled by the processing and transportation--on lakes, canals, railroads--of materials from the expanding American west back and forth to the established east; a growth moreover that produced wealth enough to drive innovative architectural legacies in both cities.
But one very visible difference between the two cities is how their respective flags are used.
Consider this: Chicago's flag is plastered around the city. Of course you see it in a lot of municipal bureaucratic ways, like the parking stickers (and can I add that in no other city will you get a parking ticket quicker than Chicago?) But also, local businesses incorporate the flag, or elements of it, into their logos, one example of which is brewery Goose Island's labels and glassware. I saw punks at shows wearing leather jackets with Chicago flag patches, for real! The flag is all over the place, and I thought it was great.
Have you even seen the Buffalo Municipal Flag?
In search of, I found find the city of Chicago flag in a heartbeat online, including a breakdown of it's symbolism and history at Wikipedia, but Wiki's Buffalo entry (which, if you've never read it, is very good, I think) had only a low-res jpeg. I could find no mention or image of it at the city's official webpage, or that of the CVB.
Here's a telling point: In a 2004 survey of 150 city flags conducted by NAVA (the North American Vexillological Association), Chicago's city flag rated 2nd, behind only Washington D.C.'s. Buffalo's ranked 32nd, thankfully beating out Rochester (53), Cleveland (59) and Boston (133).
I think symbolism means a lot, and I wonder if we couldn't use a better flag for the city to rally around. It seems like a small thing, but it has much merit. If you look at the survey, you'll note that many of the top rated flags use some kind of abstract symbolism in their, em, vexillological designs, while ours is more or less the City Seal on a blue field- it seems a bit lazy, though the rays seem a nice touch. If you look at the very worst flags in the survey, however, you'll see we're not so poorly off, to be sure: Mesa, AZ (146)? yikes!
One might argue that we use Buffalo-silhouettes in much the way you see the flag in Chicago, and I agree that there are a number of great designs of that type. And after all, having an animal name for our city surely makes use of the namesake image inevitable. I think it's great, and I do imagine that in Chicago's case, having no ready image to accompany the name means that a flag becomes a necessary symbol, while maybe we're always going to prefer using the shaggy beast that never did live around here anyway.
But then... Washington, D.C. also has a nice visualizable namesake, yet still developed a very trim flag, reminiscent of Chicago's, in fact. When I look through municipal flag designs, I think the most arresting ones are the more abstract and symbolic ones- they have a certain "official" feeling that the stylized outline of a buffalo seems to lack, I suppose (though note high-ranking Phoenix, AZ.) Besides, while we are certainly the biggest and best-known 'Buffalo' in the 50 states, there are others (e.g. WY & ND) and so a buffalo-shaped image doesn't really uniquely point to us like a snappy flag might. I'm not syaing we can't keep using the myriad buffalo-shaped designs that are out there, I'm just wondering if we couldn't also have a great flag in addition.
So, what do you think: Should we get a new flag here? Or, do we just need a campaign to get that sucker out there more?
unfortunately the only place i have ever reguloarly seen our 'flag' is on the trash bins in the city parks. i hate to say, but that's the image it evokes.
how about making a competition for kids in the buffalo public schools to come up with a new design? it could be a great campaign!
What about using the image of the FLW boathouse? A mix of old and new.
Sorry m-a and d-art… if the flag is worthy of re-do it should be done by a professional with concrete purpose to the message it embodies. Components I'd advocate are: symbolism of our FOUR seasons (we need to get past the snowed-in image) and somehow the buffalo (it IS afterall recognizable) but, as it relates to the true origin of the city's name — beautiful river.
I kind of like the Buff flag. It has a classice look. It would be nice if the stars actually have meaning. Do thay?
I also like the lighthouse water element of the current (no pun iintended) flag. If there is a problem w/ it, I'd say it's the rays and stars the overwhelm that potion that says "waterfront".
I agree with STEEL. The flag we got is good, we just need to use it better. It's certainly nicer than DC's. I also agree with forfabric's first post. If we need a new flag let's let a professional do it. Kids are sweet, but this is not a job for them.
It's all taken care of. See my design for a new Buffalo flag at:
www.realdreamcabaret.com/buffalo_flag.jpg
You're welcome.
LOL Wilk! took a while on the donut though – consider peanut-topped?
ooops! LOL to WNGuy
Yah, it was hard to tell they were sprinkles, I was seeing meds!
How about the BRising logo? :)
I saw meds too but, shied away from saying so! that's a riot!
After reading the doc that NAVA says makes for a good flag. I think we have a very good flag that might need some minor tweeks.
I like the lightning bolts and the stars, and I do believe they have a significance. I like the deep blue contrasting with the white. I think using the city seal might be too busy. Perhaps if we simplified that to a silouette of the lighthouse with a beam of light (in white using negative space) cutting through to the upper right of the flag. And perhaps but some kind of buffalo iconography in the upper left (canton) section. I'm thinking from stream of consciousness as I write... I really should draw this out so that it might make more sense...
in defense of my earlier statement, forfabric, i'm not suggesting a crayon drawing for a flag! - i do think however that students can grasp the use of symbolism and actually tend not to be constricted as adults can be when it comes to conveying a clear and unbiassed message in their artwork. should it be decided to create a new flag, i suggested it as a huge idea source and a way to get people from the entire city involved in a project to hopefully benefit the entire city. not just a select few - to benefit a select few - which is how i see things done, and would like to see changed! creating ownership is done in many ways, this could be an excellent one.
Donuts, meds, whatever gets you through the day.
On a serious note, a word of caution. Back in the mid-80s Syracuse decided to update their city seal into a more corporate, logo-ish image. It looked great... in 1987. Now, less than 20 years later, it looks far more dated than the old city seal ever did. I'm all for freshening the flag, so long as we're careful.
So... I went on down to the library and learned quite a lot about the flag quickly. Having done so, I find I'm actually more in favor of reminding folks about the flag, its ordinances, and doing other things to promote its use than a redesign, after all. I've come to like it and its somewhat amusing history, which I think perhaps I'll just type up as an addendum to the original post. In the short term, however, let me just make two quick notes:
1) The 13 bolts of lightning are meant to symbolize power from Niagara; the 13 stars symbolize the original 13 colonies. This design was adopted on 14th May, 1924, and $250 was awarded to local architect Louis Greenstein for his winning entry to the design contest. The design was in fact a modification of his 1907 design, which had a bison above the seal, though also the lightning bolts and stars. Greenstein removed the bison for this entry to streamline the look and manufacturing, as per contest guidelines.
2) The competition and guidelines for entries were, ironically, based on the competition held in the city of Chicago in 1917.
The Why (Not!) Guy wrote:
> It's all taken care of. See my design for a new Buffalo flag ...
Uhh ... why is the Cheektowaga town seal in there? ;)
Ethan, thanks for the research. I, too, would like to promote our existing flag over it's redesign. Buffalo and Buffalonians have a great heritage. Unfortunately, we have lost most of what made this city great - pride, a strong stubborn streak, and a family atmosphere.
Now, don't get me wrong - I don't mean "family" like an old sixty's sitcom. We're more like "Roseann" - we spit at and bite each other, but when the goin' gets tough - that's right - we're all in it together and we kick in for one another.
Now it's time to be proud once again. If anything, for the efforts our citizens, who have held their ground in oppresive times, have made to keep this town from going under too soon.
We've reinvented "community" in our own ways, of course, utilizing some tried and true methods from other cities. But we have made it ours, because we care. Because we come from "good stock". Our ancestors here in Buffalo came from "good stock" and they had a dream and vision. It's up to us to pick up the banner. If it happens to be the original flag of Buffalo - then it is our responsibility.
Side Note: A few months back, when snow was on the ground, I took a friend of mine over to Forest Lawn to take some photos. As I am not the photographer, I sort of hung out, walking in the tire treds from the morning visitors. I realized I was in the section where our city's founders and actvists from it's beginning were buried. I looked around and decided to ask for help. I wanted to know how I could help Buffalo, one way or another. I also asked if there was a chance for the city's revival.
Later that afternoon, my friend brought over a shot she printed for me. It was a simple close up of a headstone. The name - "Hope"
There is hope, let's make the most of it in a most positive manner, with pride. Afterall, this flag is a Taurus. And you know what they say about bulls - they're as stubborn as all get out. I know - I'm a Taurus, too.
I agree that the flag should be used more. I think the flag is nice but I think an even simpler blue flag with a white standing buffalo with the words new york underneth would look really nice. People would recognize the flag and know its Buffalo. To me there is no more of an American Icon than the standing Buffalo(other than the bald eagle). People love that simple classic image, it is also very marketable. I would love to see more City of Buffalo flags, great article I felt the same way when I visit Chicago.
"Unfortunately, we have lost most of what made this city great - pride, a strong stubborn streak, and a family atmosphere."
I don't think we've lost any of this at all.... If anything, it is stronger than ever....this city of ours refuses to go quietly into the night...the evidence.....sites like this, the countless groups out there that refuse to give up and the people who care enough about Buffalo to make a difference.....
The Buffalo spirit is alive and well.....
Chris, I agree, I should have said that we have lost those emotions in the past. But, please, read the full text and you will see that I have recognized the efforts by the community.
I like the city flag as it is. It shows our history and is more than just the "buffalo" that everyone always expects (as in the Bills, Sabres, Bisons logos).
I never understood whey they don't at least fly it near city hall somewhere. (besides inside the council chambers)
I vote for keeping the current flag - it's a classic and I like the symbolism it imparts. It's got very rich look and I think it's far more visually interesting than either DC's or Chicago's flag. Let's get it out there for all to see!!
I wonder if this is the reason we don't see the flag a bit more:
That's from the Amendments to the City Ordinances passed on 2nd Aug, 1938- the last time the flag is mentioned by the Council. I suppose the city could potentially earn a few ducats here and there for licensing the flag to, e.g, tee-shirt designers and such. Any takers?
Turns out the City Clerk is also supposed to have a copy of the flag image in official dimensions:
Seems to me, they should therefore also have an officially-proportioned digital image of it (and the Seal) somewhere at the City website, you'd think.
I have just moved here, and never realized there was even a flag in existance. Being a relative newbie to the area, and having spent some thirty-odd years in Chicagoland (some very odd), I have some observations.......
The Bison removed from the original flag's artistic submission?Perhaps too foreboding, the plight of the Buffalo's, near extinction, too close for comfort in promoting this cities early progression. Take into consideration, the near extinction of a species that was a staple of economic prosperity for many, many, people , for centuries, suddenly nearly vanquished by greed, and territorialism. Sound familiar.......
I think, for a virtual blatant symbolic gesture, the Buffalo should be prominently featured within a 'New Buffalo' flag. The symbolism derived could include the rise of this species come-back from near extinction, to a vibrant and proud existance, among us all. Take the lessons learned from over-reaching this animal's capacity for commerce, and good's, and apply the same concept to New Buffalo's
concerns. Let's face it, we have been abandoned, and abused in much the same manner, through years of neglect and mis-fortitude.
Though it's not too late to get this resiliant city back to a place of prosperity. Many site's are near extinction, just as the Buffalo were, but they can be brought back with a simple vision, and a lot of elbow grease. Stubborness is a gift, in the right places, and, can work miracles. Repair the infrastructure, firstly. Exactly how Chicago began to emerge from it's blighted surroundings. Take all we've got going for us, and make it better. Add on from there. Simple, basic, and very possible. We love this city, and for this love to reciprocate, we must be ready to take the greatest care possible of it. Anything less is not going to work. Yeah, Buffalo are proud animals, they've definately earned the right to be, from where I see it. It sure would be fine, to be able, to emmulate their distinction.
Actually the flag is on display outside at the intersection of Main and North/South Division, as well as at the B-District police station at Main and Tupper. And at Rotary RInk at Fountain Plaza.
But much more could be done.
Our flag has a cool retro look. I love it. I'd fight any effort to update it.
Unless Michael Morgulis was the designer:
http://www.newbuffalographics.com/default.asp
BIA - you rock - let's keep the flag - but fly it more conspicuously throughout the city.
Well... I went to the City Clerk, and guess what? No available graphic. Shocking? Maybe not: the poor flag isn't even flying outside of City Hall of all places (though there are two, not identical versions of it in the council chambers.) Though the City Clerk's office is positively festooned with US flags, none of the employees even knew what the city flag looks like. Folks: Let's get it on!!!
I did see the one outside of B Precinct, though. And one, slightly modified with the text "Downtown", flying on Washington behind the Buffalo Place offices. Does anyone know where I could buy one?
Hey, great idea! Let's create a market for these flags! Maybe get Ace Flag to carry them - create a stir - a demand. There's our "in-house" marketing.
I feel like an empty room, but eh. Nothing seems worth doing. I haven't gotten much done today.