Historic Homes Walking Tour - Green Dots

Take this short walking tour through Marshall’s beautiful downtown and learn about American history in a fun new way, through its flags!

Follow the flag banners downtown as noted on the map and you’ll journey through the birth of American during the Revolutionary War, the conflicted nation during the Civil War, historic moments during WWII, and how the flag played pivotal roles along the way.

QUICK FLAG FACTS
There have been 27 official American flags since America won Independence from the British in 1776. During the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) there were also many regimental or garrison flags that represented the country.

Stars have been added to our flag as new states joined the nation. Our current flag has 50 stars, one for each state, and 13 stripes, representing the original 13 colonies.

In 1986, President Reagan noted that American flag colors signified the human qualities that Americans cherish the most; Red for courage and readiness to sacrifice, White for pure intentions and high ideals, and Blue for vigilance and justice.

QUICK FLAG CODES
The union should always be at the top left when displayed.
The flag should be illuminated at night.
The flag is flown at half-staff during times of national mourning.
American flags should never touch the ground.
Worn-out flags should be disposed of properly. In Marshall, take worn-out flags to the Veterans Office in the Calhoun County Building on Green Street where you can also pick up a new flag!

For more flag codes, please refer to the US Flag Code on the House website: uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title4/chapter1&edition=prelim

1. Sons of Liberty Flag / Rebellious Stripes Flag
The French and Indian War (1754 to 1763), established British rule over a portion of eastern North America. After the war, taxes were imposed on the colonists to pay off the British war debt. One tax was The Stamp Act of 1765, which required materials printed in the colonies (legal documents, playing cards, newspapers, etc) to be printed on paper produced in England and marked with an embossed revenue stamp.

A group of colonists began to protest the new tax under a tree in Boston, which became known as the Liberty Tree. The British cut the tree down. The protesters, called the Sons of Liberty, answered by erecting a Liberty Pole in its place and flying this red and white vertically-striped flag from it.

The Tea Act of 1773 declared that the only East India Company tea that could be sold in America. The Sons of Liberty protested this Act by dressing as Mohawk Indians and dumping 92,000 pounds of East India tea into Boston Harbor, an act now known as the Boston Tea Party. A vital concern of colonial protesters was that most of them had no vote in England, no say in American taxes or laws. Their rallying cry became “No taxation without representation!”

2. Bedford Flag
Trying to retain control, British troops tried to seize colonial weapons in Concord, Massachusetts but were met with resistance. As opposing sides eyed each other, tensions grew, and then someone fired the “shot heard ‘round the world.” April 19, 1775 marks the shift from colonial protest to armed conflict and the first military engagement of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

The Bedford Flag may be the oldest American flag known to exist. This flag was first used by a mounted militia unit in 1772, then carried in the French and Indian War, and finally taken into battle at Concord Bridge. It shows an armored arm grasping a sword coming out of a cloud and the Latin motto Vince Aut Morire, which translates to “Conquer or Die.”

3. Forster Flag
This is the first American flag known to have 13 stripes to represent the 13 colonies. It was originally a British Red Ensign flag, but the upper left corner was cut out and replaced with 13 alternating red and white stripes. It was carried by the Manchester Militia into the Lexington battle, but by the time the militia arrived, the British were already in retreat. The flag was named for their 1st Lieutenant, Samuel Forster.





Continental Flag


In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted to incorporate colonial-based Patriot militias into a central military, the Continental Army, and unanimously appointed Washington its commander-in-chief.





Americans fought for control of Bunker Hill in June 1775. British accounts of the skirmish describe a red flag flying on the American side. There is no way to verify that the flag shown was the one flown in the battle, but famous Revolutionary War artist John Trumbull spoke with eyewitnesses and chose this flag to paint in his “Battle at Bunker’s Hill” painting (its faint, but its there).





The British would take the best pine trees from New England forests to be used as masts for the Royal Navy, which enraged the colonists. Eastern white pine trees on flags soon symbolized defiance against British rule. A green tree on a white background appears on another well-known flag. The founding fathers were fans of John Locke and included that philospher’s words “An Appeal to Heaven” on that flag.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, if you find any errors please let us know by calling the Marshall Welcome Center at 269-781-5163 and asking for Kimber, or CLICK TO EMAIL.