Pocatello city flag goes from worst in North America to 11th-best in nation, survey says
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POCATELLO — Move over Wichita, Kansas and Corpus Christi, Texas; Pocatello now has one of the nation’s best city flags.
A 2022 survey conducted by the North American Vexillological (the study of flags) Association (NAVA) shows that the city flag of Pocatello is ranked 11th in the nation. The association’s last survey, in 2004, found that Pocatello’s former flag was ranked dead last of 150 cities included — scoring just 1.48 points out of a possible 10.
The city flag of Tulsa, Oklahoma, finished the latest survey with the top score.
NAVA, according to a release from the city of Pocatello, is made up of more than 1,000 flag enthusiasts and scholars. Members of NAVA, as well as members of the public, were asked to survey the flags submitted.
Pocatello’s was one of 25 city flags of the 150 included to receive an “A” grade. Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah, also made that list. More than 60% of the flags surveyed received a “D” or an “F” grade.
RELATED | Man who called Pocatello’s flag ‘worst in North America’ now singing its praises
The Gate City unveiled its “Proud to Be Pocatello” flag in 2001. One of the comments included in the 2004 NAVA survey summary argued, “I’d be proud to be from anywhere else.”
After years of ridicule directed at the flag’s design, Pocatello formed an Ad-Hoc Committee in 2016 to seek a new design. The committee received 709 designs from 26 countries and 31 U.S. states, the release says.
The design which received the highest praise from residents included elements from several design submissions.
It features three peaks, representing the area’s three major mountain summits — Scout Mountain, Kinport Peak and Chinese Peak.
“In addition to representing the natural beauty of Pocatello, the peaks symbolize industry, recreation, and education,” according to the city website. “The compass rose is a directional emblem symbolizing Pocatello’s central role as a transportation and trade hub for rail, road and air. In addition to its ties to transportation, the rose also points to our past, present and future.”
The new flag debuted at city hall on Sept. 19, 2017, and can be purchased at the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce at 324 South Main Street.
Anyone interested in using the flag design can find its details at the city website — here.
