Oakland, California (U.S.)

Alameda County

Last modified: 2022-06-18 by rick wyatt
Keywords: oakland | california | oak tree | alameda county |
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2:3 image(s) by permission of David B. Martucci
image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright.

• Current Flag
  • Design
  • Symbolism
  • Selection
  • Designer
  • More about the Flag
• The seal
• Police Department

See also:

• Colleges and universities:
  • California College of the Arts
  • Laney College
  • Holy Names University
  • Merritt College
  • Mills College
  • Oikos University
  • Patten University
  • Samuel Merritt University
  • Saybrook University
• Alameda County
• Municipal flags of California (index page)
• California
• United States of America

Current Flag

Text and image(s) from American City Flags, Raven 9-10 (2002-2003), courtesy of the North American Vexillological Association, which retains copyright. Image(s) from American City Flags by permission of David B. Martucci.

Design

Oakland’s flag has a canary yellow field, with a green oak tree (including the trunk), wider than it is tall, centered on the middle third of the field. Above the tree, a shallow arch of green block letters proclaims OAKLAND. Centered below the tree and its patch of green ground is 1852 in green.
Richard Monahan, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Symbolism

Selection

Spurred by the city’s approaching centennial, the flag was adopted after a design contest called for by Councilman William H. D. Clausen and approved by Mayor Clifford E. Rishell. The top prize of $200 was awarded by a jury of representatives of the art departments of the University of California, Mills College, and the California College of Arts and Crafts, chaired by Eric Stearns.
Flag adopted: April 1952 (official status uncertain).
Richard Monahan, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

Designer

George W. Lasko, Jr., a San Leandro artist and a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston.
Richard Monahan, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

More about the Flag

David M. Lee, eleven years old, won the grammar school prize.
Richard Monahan, American City Flags, Raven 9-10, 2002-2003

The seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 18 May 2019

Source: https://www.badges-etc.com

Police Department

image located by Paul Bassinson, 26 March 2021

The flag of the Oakland Police Department has the word “Oakland” in all caps on the top, and the word “police” in all caps on the bottom. Image obtained from https://www.facebook.com/oaklandpoliceca/photos/2668271919962222
Paul Bassinson, 26 March 2021