Flag Raisings In The Susquehanna Valley - 1917

Patriotic Flag Raising Ceremonies  in 1917

In April of 1917, as American entered into the Great World War, Flag Raising Ceremonies were held throughout the valley, very similar to the show of patriotism shown after 9/11.

Note: I've been working on this post for awhile now, but I am nowhere near done compiling the information for each town.  I'm going to go ahead and hit publish to make the post public, but I will continue to add information regularly as I sort out my files.

 Flag day is June 14th, the anniversary of the Continental Congress passed the resolution " That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."  But while sorting through local history photos and articles, there were a surprising number of flag ceremonies in April & May, not June, of 1917.  Some quick research revealed that much like the patriotism after 9/11, America was showing their patriotism as the country joined the  Great World War.

Although we are accustomed to seeing the flag fly at factories and companies, that was not the case prior to 1917.  It was in that year that mill and factory, workers first subscribed to pay for flags and poles to be erected at their  places of employment.  In local towns, there were designated locations to drop off donations towards flags to be erected in town parks.  Throughout America, factories closed, trolley lines stopped, and schools closed, as flag raising parades lead to new flags being hung throughout the towns.  

The flag raisings did not take place all in one day, but were scheduled throughout the month, in many cases based on when a flag became available.  There were so many flag raisings in April 1917 that there was a shortage of flags. Although many of the flag raising photos throughout April and May  are labeled "flag day", Flag Day was actually June 14 1917.

 Here's a look at some of the flag raising ceremonies throughout the central Susquehanna Valley:
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Catawissa

Flag Day Parade

In many of the flag day parades, it was specified that there would be no floats or vehicles other than for the GAR.  The elderly veterans of the Civil War were frequently transported in vehicles.

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DANVILLE

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LEWISBURG

Large flag unfurled in Lewisburg on May 25 1917

"Large Flag Unfurled to Breezes in Lewisburg In keeping with the wave of patriotism which is sweeping the country, Lewisburg last Friday afternoon unfurled a large flag to the breezes. The flag was fastened to a wire stretched across Market street between the Post Office and Baker's drug store. When the parade of school children had 'reached this point on Market street the procession was stopped and the flag raising ceremonies began. ; The band played the "Star Spangled Banner," and Prof. Bourne, head of the  the town schools pulled the cords which let loose the flag.

As the flag unfurled two pure white doves flew out and away and myriads of tiny American flags were scattered over the street. 

The people stood with bowed heads and cheered and the members of Troop M saluted with sabres. Following the unfurling of the flag President John H. Harris offered prayer and Dr. Mary Wolfe presented the flag to the borough, the speech of acceptance being made by Ex-Judge McClure, president of the town council. -Following this the entire throng accompanied by the band, sane "America," and the procession proceeded to the playground. The flag measures 10x20 feet and cost $35, the money being raised by an envelope system and truly represents a community flag as the money  came from the people of the town." - Lewisburg Journal

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MILTON

The Lewisburg Journal, May 11 1917

The Ceremony at Milton would have been held May 5 1917

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MONTANDON

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NORTHUMBERLAND

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POTTSGROVE

Held Saturday May 26th, at the Pottsgrove School

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SELINSGROVE

Silk Mill Flag Day, Selinsgrove Pa

Community flag raising at the William F. Groce silk mill on Saturday April 21, 1917. The patriotic event was held two weeks after the U.S. Congress passed a Declaration of War with Germany. Burgess R.L. Schroyer was in charge of the ceremony, with music by the Selinsgrove town band, and speeches by Reverend Jonathan Dimm and Dr. John Woodruff, of the Susquehanna University faculty. Business places in Selinsgrove were closed from 1:30 until 3:00pm, so all could join the community event. The view is looking east on Sassafras Street toward High and Market Streets

June 14th Flag Day Celebration

This photo is of a celebration on the lawn of the Samuel Sterner home, 307 East Walnut Street.  (House no longer stands).  It was taken on the official flag day, June 1917.

Samuel Sterners son Harvey later owned the Sterner Hotel on Market Street.

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SUNBURY

Patriotic Day, Sunbury Pa, April 18 1917

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Watsontown

The Flag Raising In Watsontown was held May 12 1917

At the Watsontown Door & Sash Company

According to an article in the Lewisburg Journal, 4 flags were raised & addresses given, and "five pure white doves were freed."

Doves wrapped in the flag, set free as the flag unfurled, was also part of the ceremony in Lewisburg.

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WILLIAMSPORT

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For More Local History & Stories:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

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READ MORE

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The 14th of June  in 1777 was when the Second Continental Congress passed a flag resolution, stating: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

The first National observance of flag day occurred 100 years later, in 1877.  In 1916, Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that June 14th should be National Flag day, but it was not until 1949 that this was made official by an act of Congress.

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