The flag of Andalusia, Alabama, is the city's seal in the center of a diagonally divided bicolor of red and blue.
Tricolor flag[]
The tricolor flag is a vertical tricolor of blue, white, and green with a yellow shield with two pikes behind it in the middle and a banner on the bottom. The shield is divided by a blue wavy line. Inside the shield is a tree, a person riding a horse, a train, and a plow. The banner has pine boguhs on it. The text in the middle says "ANDALUSIA ALABAMA" and the year 1844 can be seen divided between both sides of the banner. The flag was adopted on November 6, 1984, around the time of the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation. The original hand-sewn flag is housed at the Three Notch Museum, formerly the Central of Georgia railroad depot, on Historic Central Street in downtown Andalusia. [1]
Symbolism[]
- Gold represents a priceless past and a valuable heritage.
- Green is symbolic of growth and the future of community.
- White is the color of courageous legendary Andalusian horse, Destinado, whose remains lie beneath the tree which once stood on the public square at the present site of the Prestwood Building. According to the legend, on the trunk of this tree were carved the letters "ANDALUSIA".
- Blue stands for the water of the Conecuh which was a source of transportation and trade for the pioneer. It is also indicative of rising waters which flooded the lowlands of Montezuma and led to the move to higher ground where Andalusia, Alabama was founded. A definite Aztec Indian influence is exemplified in the name of the first settlement, Montezuma.
- The shield and pikes reflect the special significance of the Spanish explorers who once came through South Alabama.
- The Three Notch tree is synonymous with the area's journey through history. The Three Notch Trail was first an Indian pathway through the forest and later a trading route for the Spanish making their way into Indian territory from Pensacola. The trail, cut and established as a roadway by the army to support its garrison of troops stationed at Fort Mitchell in the Creek Nation, today is represented by two of the main streets in Andalusia. The trail also led settlers to the falls on the Conecuh River.
- The plow symbolizes the importance of homesteaders and farmers who settled in the community.
- The pine boughs portray the timber industry which played a significant role in the economy and in bringing the railroads in 1899.
- The train represents an event which with its coming at the turn of the century transformed a village of approximately 250 to a bustling town in just a few short years.
- The date 1844 was the first official mention of the town as evidenced by the establishment of the post office on July 18, 1844. Andalusia was first incorporated in 1884.
References[]
