Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

The history behind Fort Wayne's flag on Flag Day Flag created during Indiana Centennial celebration in 1916 By Jaclyn Goldsborough of The News-Sentinel June 14, 2014 archived on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine . Originally had 6 images of the newspaper articles but not archived online. Highlighted dates were found: April 2, 1916 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, April 2, 1916, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, April 16, 1916 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, May 31, 1916 The Fort Wayne Daily News, June 2, 1916 Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, June 2, 1916 The Fort Wayne Sentinel.

Flag of Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Fort Wayne's flag ranks 52nd of 150 American city flags. It earned a score 4.62 out of 10 by the North American Vexillological Association. References: Fort Wayne, Indiana (U.S.) on CRWFlags.com.

The flag of Fort Wayne, Indiana was adopted as the city's official flag by City Council on June 26, 1934.  

File:Flag of Fort Wayne, Indiana.svg

File:Flag of Fort Wayne, Indiana (1916–1934).svg is the first flag of Fort Wayne (1916–1934)

File:Flag of Fort Wayne, Indiana (variant).svg Variant of the flag where the city's name and date are added to the flag.

1916 - Here Are the Rules to Govern City Flag Contest

Article from Mar 30, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, City flag contest rules

1916 - Here Are the Rules to Govern City Flag Contest The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, March 30, 1916, Page 1.

1916 - Here Are Rules To Govern Contest (Continued from Page One)

Article from Mar 30, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Municipal flag rules

1916 - Here Are Rules To Govern Contest (Continued from Page One) The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, March 30, 1916, Page 13.

 

HERE ARE RULES TO GOVERN CONTEST

(Continued from Page One.)

have significance, heraldric and other. The space or area to be utilized is so limited by its terms and the conditions so insistent, that there is neither room nor reason for colors and designs which do not make for a Fort Wayne flag.

Rule 2. Since the municipal flag of the city of Fort Wayne is always to be flown in conjunction with the Stars and Stripes, all designs for a municipal flag submitted by competitors should be colored and patterned with special reference to such continued and inevitable use.

Rule 3, The municipal fag should not only be symbolic of the city of Fort Wayne, but also typify its ideals and aspirations, its history, its geographical and political divisions, and its people, so far as possible, but it should display knowledge of heraldric and other symbols already assigned definite meanings.

Rule 4. The municipal flag should be beautiful, to the point of decorativeness. The colors should contrast effectively and the divisions of the design accord symetrically.

Rule 5. The municipal flag should be simple. Elaboration at any point, whether by multiplicity of colors or minute subdivisions of design, will destroy its chief purposes.

Rule 6. The municipal flag should be the symbol and emblem of free people in a free city and for this reason devices peculiar to the old world and other foreign countries should be omitted from the design of the municipal flag for the city of Fort Wayne.

Rule 7. The municipal flag should be original. It should not resemble closely in coloration or design any other flag whatsoever.

Rule 8. The municipal flag should be contrived and designed with prime reference to the fundamental fact that will work out practically by cutting and stitching fabrics. Nothing that requires to be painted on as landit is to be made from fabrics, cotton, bunting, silk or other material which can be readily cut and stitched.

Rule 9. The symbols and details on the municipal flag should be such as scapes, unconventionalized birds and beasts or natural objects in general, should find place, demanding as they frequently do, separate treatment for the two sides of the flag. No lettering. either of initials, words, mottoes or figures, will be permitted or considered on a municipal flag design. The municipal flag should be alike on both sides for the sake of simplicity and for ease of manufacture.

Rule 10. The municipal flag should conform in its sizes, shapes and proportions to those which custom and experience have established suitable.

Rule 11. The use of the colors and designs of the municipal flag as a banner to be hung vertically rather than flown horizontally, and as a badge, button or other device to be worn on the person may well be taken into consideration, and its colors and design be made adaptable to such ends when pranticable.

1916 - Interest In Municipal Flag Contest Increases; Rules Governing $50 Award - The Offer

Article from Apr 2, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Municipal flag rules

1916 - Interest In Municipal Flag Contest Increases; Rules Governing $50 Award - The Offer The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 2, 1916, Page 1.

INTEREST IN MUNICIPAL FLAG CONTEST INCREASES; RULES GOVERNING $50 AWARD

Designs for the proposed municipal lag are coming to the office of the Journal-Gazette in a stream and the commission recently appointed in accordance with a resolution adopted by the city council authorizing it to select by competitive methods a flag for Fort Wayne contemplates busy session when it meets to pass upon the merits of the various designs submitted.

The Journal stands ready to reward the successful contestant with fifty dollars in gold immediately the announcement of the winner is made.

The members of the centennial committee are anxious to have the selection out of the way as early as possible in order that the city flag may be incorporated in the decorating scheme which will be carried out throughout centennial week. For the guidance of the contestants, the rules which will govern the selection of the flag are printed again this morning and all who contemplate subdesigns should read them carefully.

No one, not a member of the commission, is barred from the contest.

THE OFFER

The Journal-Gazette hereby offers fifty dollars in gold to be given to the person submitting the design for a municipal flag which is selected by the flag commission as the official flag of the city of Fort Wayne. The members of the commission are Mayor W. J. Hosey, W, A. Bayer, president of the council; Van B. Perrine, president of the Commercial clubs; Judge S. M. Hench, B. J. Griswold, Mrs. 0. N. Guldlin and Mrs. J. B. Crankshaw.

All designs must be delivered at the office of the Journal-Gazette not later than April 13 and the announcement of the award will be made Sunday, April 16.

All designs submitted, must bear the name and address of the sender so attached that there will be no possibility of their becoming separated.

Special Rules.

The following rules will govern the commission in the selection of the winning design:

Rule 1. The municipal flag should have significance, heraldric and other. The space or area to be utilized is so limited by its terms and the conditions so insistent, that there is neither room nor reason for colors and designs which do not make for a Fort Wayne flag.

Rule 2. Since the municipal flag of the city of Fort Wayne is always to be flown in conjunction with the Stars and Stripes, all designs for a munidipal flag submitted by competitors should be colored and patterned with special reference to such continued and inevitable use.

Rule 3. The municipal flag should not only be symbolic of the city of Fort Wayne, but also typify its ideals and aspirations, its history, geographical and political divisions, and its people, so far as possible, but it should display knowledge of heraldric and other symbols already assigned definite meanings.

Rule 4. The municipal flag should be beautiful, to the point of decorativeness. The colors should contrast

(Continued on Page 21, Column 13.)

1916 - Interest In Flag Contest Increases (continued from Page One)

Article from Apr 2, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Municipal flag rules

1916 - Interest In Flag Contest Increases (continued from Page One) The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 2, 1916, Page 21.

INTEREST IN FLAG CONTEST INCREASES

(Continued from Page One.)

effectively and, the divisions of the design accord symetrically.

Rule 5. The municipal flag should be simple. Elaboration at, any point, whether by multiplicity colors or minute subdivisions of design, will destroy its chief purposes.

Rule 6. The municipal flag should be the symbol and emblem of a free people in a free city and for this reason devices peculiar to the old world and other foreign countries should be omitted from the design of the municipal flag for the city of Fort Wayne.

Rule 7. The municipal flag should be original. It should not resemble closely in coloration or design any other flag whatsoever.

Rule 8. The municipal flag should be contrived and designed with prime reference to the fundamental fact that it is to be made from fabrics, cotton, bunting, silk or other material which can be readily cut and stitched.

Rule 9. The symbols and details on the municipal flag should be such as will work out practically by cutting and stitching fabrics. Nothing that requires to be painted on, as landscapes, unconventionalized birds and beasts or natural objects in general, should find place, demanding as they frequently do, separate treatment for the two sides of the flag. No lettering, either of initials, words, mottoes or figures, will be permitted or considered on a municipal flag design. The municipal flag should be, alike on both sides for the sake of simplicity and for ease of manufacture.

Rule 10. The municipal flag should conform in its sizes, shapes and proportions to those which custom and experience have established as suitable.

Rule 11. The use of the colors and désigns of the municipal flag as a banner to be hung vertically rather than flown horizontally, and as a badge, button or other device to be worn on the person may well be taken into consideration, and its colors and design be made adaptable to such ends when practicable.

1916 - Scores of Flags Are Entered in Contest

Article from Apr 7, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, City flag

1916 - Scores of Flags Are Entered in Contest The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday, April 7, 1916, Page 1.

Scores of Flags Are Entered in Contest

Dozens of beautiful designs for a municipal flag have been submitted to the Journal-Gazette since the announcement was made that a reward of $50 would be paid the person whose design is accepted by the city flag commission as the official banner for the municipality. The designs must be submitted not later than April 13 and the announcement of the commission's action will be made on the following Sunday. This contest is open to all; submit as many types as you care to but be sure your name and address attached to each. The successful design will be used by the centennial commission in its general scheme of decoration and the flag will be Fort Wayne's emblem forever.

1916 - Guy Drewett Wins $50 Prize For Designing The Municipal Flag

Article from Apr 16, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, City flag, Municipal flag

1916 - Guy Drewett Wins $50 Prize For Designing The Municipal Flag The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 16, 1916, Page 1.

GUY DREWETT WINS $50 PRIZE FOR DESIGNING THE MUNICIPAL FLAG

Guy Drewett, 656 Putnam street, an employe of the S. F. Bowser company in the grinding room, has the honor of designing Fort Wayne's municipal flag and is the winner of the $50 prize offered by the Journal Gazette, to the person whose design was finaity accepted by the flag commission.

Cut of the scores of designs which were inspected by the commission, the flag suomitted by Mr. Drewett because of its simple elegance and symbolism, was finally selected. It is but fair to say that there were many others which appealed with almost equal strength to the members of the commission, and not until many hours had been spent in considering the problem from every possibie angle was the award finally made.

The flag as accepted consists of a blue field with two white bars merging into one of slightly larger proportions, symbolizing the three rivers. On either side of the larger bar is a white star, the two stars indicating Fort Wayne's rank as the second city in the state. The blue field indicates the loyalty of our citizenry and the white bars and stars have the adaed significance of civic purity.

Because of the simplicity of the design the flag displays no obverse and

(Continued on Page 24, Column 4.).

1916 - LIft Your Hat To This Banner

Article from Apr 16, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Municipal flag

1916 - LIft Your Hat To This Banner The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 16, 1916, Page 1.

LIFT YOUR HAT TO THIS BANNER

Here is Fort Wayne's new emblem of progress and civic patriotism. The dark portions are blue, the bars and stars white. The bars signify the union of the rivers in the heart of the city, the stars the importance of Fort Wayne as the second city in the state. The blue field typifies the loyalty of her citizenry and the white the purity of her civic life and government.

[A color version of this blue banner is in the 2019 Facebook post by The History Center]

1916 - Designer Of The Municipal Flag - Guy Drewett

Article from Apr 16, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Guy drewett, Municipal flag

1916 - Designer Of The Municipal Flag - Guy Drewett The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 16, 1916, Page 1.

DESIGNER OF THE MUNICIPAL FLAG

Guy Drewett,

656 Putnam street, whose happy suggestion for a design for a municipal flag won him the Journal-Gazette prize of $50.

1916 - Cashing In On A $50 Idea - Guy Drewett

Article from Apr 16, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, City flag, Guy drewett

1916 - Cashing In On A $50 Idea - Guy Drewett The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 16, 1916, Page 24.

CASHING IN ON A $50 IDEA

Guy Drewett (left), designer of the Fort Wayne flag, receiving $50 check from Theodore C. Dodane (right), business manager of the Journal-Gazette. The Journal-Gazette offered a prize of fifty dollars to the successful designer of the flag.

1916 - Passing On Hundreds Of Designs

Article from Apr 16, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, City flag

1916 - Passing On Hundreds Of Designs The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, April 16, 1916, Page 24.

PASSING ON THE HUNDREDS OF DESIGNS

The Fort Wayne flag commission, composed of Mayor Hosey, William A. Bayer, Van B. Perrine, B. J. Griswold, Mrs. O. N. Guldlin, Judge S. M. Hench and Mrs. J. B. Crankshaw, spent hours in picking the winner. With the exception of the mayor, who was unable to be present, the members are included in the above photograph surrounded by some of the designs submitted for their consideration.

GUY DREWETT WINS PRIZE FOR BANNER

(Continued. from Page One.)

reverse side. The design selected is one which lends itself readily to the manufacture of large quantities at a minimum price. When it is remembered that the city flag is to be used largely in decorative schemes on special occasions this is an important feature.

The contest for the honor of designing the municipal flag began when the city council, by resolution, authorized the appointment of a commission to pass upon and select a flag as distinctive of Fort Wayne and to be known as the municipal flag. This commission was composed of Mayor William J. Hosey President W. A. Bayer, of the city council, ex officlo, Van B. Perrine, Judge S. M. Hench, B. J. Griswold, Mrs. Olaf N. Guldlin and Mrs. J. B. Crankshaw. Their selection of a design will be ratified by the city council at its next regular meeting by resolution.

Hundreds of designs were submitted, many of the contestants turning in as high as a dozen. The majority possessed such merit as to draw more than passing attention from the commission. Only a few were so out of conformity with the rules general idea sought to be embraced in the accepted flag as to be discarded at once." Among those who submitted designs favorably considered tho commission were the following:

Miss Lillian Blackstone, 136 W. Wayne street.

Mrs. Grace Blythe Gardner, R. F. D., No. 5.

T. W. Reinewald, 1316 Clay street.

Mrs. H. L. Garman.

Pius J. Boaeuf, 1606 St. Marys avenue.

Corporal L. Warren, Johnson, 12101 Columbia avenue.

Miss Helen May Irwin, 635 West Jefferson street.

Frank J. Rahe, Fairfield avenue.

C. W. R. Schwartz, Berne, Ind.

A. M. Newman, 621 West Jefferson street.

Paul Bachelor, 902 Columbia avenue

Miss Phyllis H. Randall, 518 East Berry street.

H. C. Tresselt.

Mrs. Louise C. Ward, 420 Kinnaird avenue.

Wilfred Wehrly, 1625 Short street.

Virginia A. Travers, 216 Brackanridge street.

W. H. Klaus, Spy Run avenue.

Charles Abbott, 1617 a Wells street.

Albert Zucher, Brookside.

Guy Drewett, 656 Putnam street.

Mrs. John E. Ross, 327 West Suttenfield street.

Herman M. Bir, 1724 High street.

C. E. Miller, 807 Edgewater avenue.

Miss Alice Smith, 1710 West Main street.

Colerick Sterlin, 1823 Franklin avenue.

Harold Moqlan, 225 East Lewis street.

Miss Germayne Johnson; 1012 Putstreet.

Frank J. Travers, 242 Douglas avenue.

Mrs. N. Leslie, 908 Barr street.

Paul Horstman, 134 East Taber street.

Clifford O'Brien, 430 Third street

Ralph F. Markey, 3028 Webster street

T. S. Craig, 3129 South street.

Mrs. John W. Spindler, New Haven Ind.

O. L. Babcock, 1738 South Lafayette street.

Argyll Smith, 1104 Columbia avenue.

Miss Charlotte Mahurin, field avenue.

C. D. Wheeler, S. F. Bowser & Co.

E. J. Underwood, 224 East Main street.

Mrs. Cecile M. Cheney, 1514 Wells street.

H. Eckels, jr., 1202 Spy Run avenue.

Ed Glancy & Son, Monroeville, Ind.

1916 - Designer of Fort Wayne Flag Weds Girl Who Made It - Guy Drewett, Mahala Sroufe

Article from Jun 2, 1916 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Guy drewett, Municipal flag, Mahala sroufe

1916 - Designer of Fort Wayne Flag Weds Girl Who Made It - Guy Drewett, Mahala Sroufe The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday, June 2, 1916, Page 1.

Designer of Fort Wayne Flag Weds Girl Who Made It

A very pretty romance in which figured the designer of the Fort Wayne municipal flag, and the young lady who made the original, terminated yesterday in the marriage of Guy Drewett, of this city, to Miss Mahala Broufe, daughter Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sroufe, Larwill, which was solemnized at the Wayneknit club house, Rev. 0. E. Tomes, pastor of the West Jefferson Street Church of Christ, officiating. The young couple also enjoyed the distinction of being the principals in the first wedding ceremony ever performed at the Wayne Knitting mills. The bride, popular employe of the plant, roomed at the dormitory. The marriage was held at 4:30 o'clock with the bride's sister, Miss Mary Sroufe, and Mr. and Mrs. George Gross as witnesses. Following short wedding trip, Mr. and Mrs. Drewett will take up their residence at 1110 DeGroff street. Many friende here will extend congratulations. When Mr. Drewett first entered flag contest, he submitted the original designs of the successful banner to his sweetheart and she did the rest.

1916 - Designer of Fort Wayne Flag Weds Girl Who Helped Him Develop His Idea For Banner

Article from Jun 2, 1916 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1916, Guy drewett, Municipal flag

1916 - Designer of Fort Wayne Flag Weds Girl Who Helped Him Develop His Idea For Banner The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday, June 2, 1916, Page 6.

DESIGNEE OF FORT WAYNE FLAG WEDS GIRL WHO HELPED HIM DEVELOP HIS IDEA FOR BANNER. •MR. AND MRS. GUY DREWETT.

Guy Drewett, designer of the Fort Wayne municipal flag, and Miss Mahala Sroufe, daughter of Mr. ani Mrs. Charles Sroufe, of near Larwill, who helped him design and make it, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony Thursday evening at the Wayne Knit club house. Rev. 0. E. Tomes, pastor of the West Jefferson street Church of Christ, performed the ceremony in the presence of the bride's sister, Miss Mary Sroufe, and Mrs. Frank Y. Gross, who have, charge of the club house. After the ceremony was solemnized Mr. and Mrs. Drewett were taken to their new home, at 1110 DeGroff street, amid a shower of rice and old shoes. Later they left for a short honeymoon trip. Their home is already furnished and ready for occupancy. The bride was a popular employe of the plant and lived at the Wayne Knit club house.

 

Find A Grave Memorial for Guy Preville Drewett, 16 Oct 1889, Death 23 Jul 1964 (aged 74), and his wife Mahala J Schrofe Drewett, 12 Jan 1889, Death 14 Jan 1978 (aged 89), are at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

 

April 3, 2025 this page was shared by Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana on Facebook receiving a comment: This is so great to see! Guy Drewett was my Great-granduncle. He served in the Indiana National Guard - Company D, along with his brother Raymond and father Richard Drewett for many years. There are countless newspaper articles about the militia in the Fort Wayne newspaper archives. Cool stuff.

April 16, 2019 post by The History Center on Facebook:

In celebration of the state's centennial in 1916, The Journal Gazette solicited proposals in a competition to design Fort Wayne's first flag. The contest was inspired by city council's creation of a flag commission, and the winning design was announced 103 years ago today on April 16, 1916. The winner, Guy P. Drewett, received $50 for his submission of a flag with plain symbolism and two colors. More elaborate flags which received consideration are pictured in the background of an article about the contest. Colors cannot be discerned in the image, but some designs used common symbols and locally-relevant imagery. Stars were popular, as well as the Y-shaped bars. Symbols with historical significance included the head of a bear, possibly symbolizing Indiana's frontier roots; and corn or grain symbolizing Northeast Indiana's agricultural roots. Drewett's design included two stars, symbolizing Fort Wayne's status as "the second city in the state," and a bold Y, representing the confluence of the city's three rivers. To learn more about our first city flag, stop by the History Center to pick up the latest issue of the Old Fort News. #sociallyhistory

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