Where was the Texas flag born?
The Texas flag is tied to Montgomery County, Texas. Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery is credited with designing the Lone Star Flag. The Republic of Texas adopted it on January 25, 1839. In 1997, the Texas House honored Montgomery County as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.
Who Designed the Texas Flag?
Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart lived in Montgomery. He ran a drug store and the post office. In 1836, he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
The 1997 House resolution says President Mirabeau B. Lamar asked Stewart to make the flag. Six signers of the Declaration then approved it. After that, Congress adopted it.
His flag sketch passed to his son, Edmund, and then to his granddaughter, Elizabeth Stewart Fling. Today, the first drawing is kept at the Texas State Archives in Austin.
A note on history: most proof of Stewart's role comes from his own papers and family. Some flag experts question it. Still, state leaders and the City of Montgomery honor him as the designer.
Why Is Montgomery Called the Birthplace of the Texas Flag?
On May 30, 1997, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1123. It officially honored Montgomery County as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.
The City of Montgomery calls itself the "Birthplace of the Texas Flag." It is one of the oldest towns in Texas. It got its charter in 1837 and became a city in 1848.
When Was the Texas Flag Adopted?
- 1836Stewart signs the Texas Declaration of Independence.
- Dec. 28, 1838A new national flag is introduced in the Republic of Texas Congress.
- Jan. 25, 1839Congress adopts the Lone Star Flag. President Lamar approves it.
- Dec. 29, 1845Texas joins the U.S. The Lone Star Flag becomes the state flag.
- 1879–1933After an 1879 law change, Texas has no official flag statute.
- 1933The Texas Flag Code makes the Lone Star Flag official again.
- May 30, 1997Texas House Resolution 1123 honors Montgomery County as the flag's birthplace.
What Do the Colors of the Texas Flag Mean?
Texas law sets out what each color means.
The design is simple: a blue stripe on the left with one white star, and two stripes on the right, white over red.
What Are the Six Flags Over Texas?
Six nations have flown flags over Texas. Each one marks a part of the state's story.
- Spain1519–1685, 1690–1821
- France1685–1690
- Mexico1821–1836
- Republic of Texas1836–1845
- Confederate States1861–1865
- United States1845–1861, 1865–today
The Lone Star Flag began as the flag of the Republic of Texas. It became the state flag when Texas joined the U.S. in 1845.
Where Can You See Texas Flag History in Montgomery?
N.H. Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum
The City of Montgomery says a copy of Stewart's flag drawing is on view here.
New Montgomery Cemetery
Dr. Stewart's burial place, according to the City of Montgomery.
Historic downtown
Some homes from Montgomery's 1850s building boom still stand.
Texas State Archives, Austin
Home of Stewart's original flag drawing.
Check hours with each site before you visit.
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Questions About the Texas Flag and Montgomery
Where was the Texas flag born?
Montgomery County, Texas, is known as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag. In 1997, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1123 to honor the county as the flag's birthplace.
Who designed the Texas flag?
Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart of Montgomery is credited with the design. He was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Some flag historians note that most of the proof comes from Stewart's own papers and family.
When was the Texas flag adopted?
The Congress of the Republic of Texas adopted the Lone Star Flag on January 25, 1839. President Mirabeau B. Lamar approved it.
What do the colors of the Texas flag mean?
Under Texas law, red stands for bravery, white for purity, and blue for loyalty. The single star stands for Texas as one united, independent state.
Where can I see Stewart's flag drawing?
Stewart's original drawing is held at the Texas State Archives in Austin. The City of Montgomery says a copy is on view at the N.H. Davis Pioneer Complex and Museum.
Where is Charles B. Stewart buried?
According to the City of Montgomery, Dr. Stewart is buried in the New Montgomery Cemetery.
What are the six flags over Texas?
Texas has flown under six flags: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Why is the Texas flag also the state flag?
When Texas joined the United States in 1845, the Republic's Lone Star Flag became the state flag. Texas formally re-adopted it in the 1933 flag law.
Sources: Texas House Resolution 1123 (75th Legislature, 1997); City of Montgomery history page. Facts reviewed October 2026.
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