"This Flag-Staff is the Glory of the Fort": Archeological Investigations of the Fort Union Flagpole Remains

Author(s): Douglas D. Scott

Year: 1986

Summary

The flag and flagpole at Fort Union were important visual symbols to the inhabitants and visitors to the Upper Missouri region as is clearly evidenced by Edwin Denig's quote. The flag and the pole it flew upon were visible reminders of a place of safety and rest for the person approaching the fort from land or water. The flag and pole were a part of the every day scene at Fort Union and yet they served a more important, although less tangible role as a visual symbol of American control of the Upper Missouri. In addition it was a symbolic statement that American culture and western civilization were present in "this far western wild". As important a role as the flag and pole may have played in the life

of Fort Union it is one of the least documented features of the historic site.

Cite this Record

"This Flag-Staff is the Glory of the Fort": Archeological Investigations of the Fort Union Flagpole Remains. Douglas D. Scott. Lincoln, Nebraska: Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Department of the Interior. 1986 ( tDAR id: 375665) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8FT8KQC

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Culture
Euroamerican • Historic

Material
Building Materials • Ceramic • Fauna • Glass • Metal • Wood

Site Type
Military Structure • Non-Domestic Structures

Investigation Types
Data Recovery / Excavation

General
Bracing System • Fence Line • Flag • Flagpole • Flagpole Base • Fort Hartsuff • Fort Kearny • Fort Larned National Historic Site • Fort Towson • Fort Vancouver • Picket Fence

Geographic Keywords
Fort Union National Monument (N.M.)

Temporal Keywords
19th Century • 20th Century

Spatial Coverage

min long: -105.05; min lat: 35.891 ; max long: -105.008; max lat: 35.924 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contributor(s): John R. Bozell

Prepared By(s): Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service

File Information

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