Hockinson's 1889 flag is a documented 38-star United States flag made by women of the community. The date is historically important, but it belongs to the flag itself—not to the founding or establishment of Hockinson.
The Hockinson 1889 flag at a glance
- Year: 1889
- Object: 38-star United States flag
- Makers: women of Hockinson
- Material noted in the record: raw silk obtained from San Francisco
- Historical meaning: community artifact, not a founding date
How the flag was made
A historical page titled “A Pioneer Spirit” says Hockinson residents wanted an American flag and, in 1889, sent to San Francisco for raw silk. The accompanying historical caption identifies the object as a U.S. flag made by the women of Hockinson, Washington in 1889.
Why 1889 should not be treated as Hockinson's founding date
Hockinson's settlement history reaches back to about 1862, and organized school history begins in 1870. The 1889 date belongs specifically to this flag, not to the founding or establishment of Hockinson. The Hockinson history timeline places 1889 among the community's other documented milestones.
The flag and Washington's statehood era
The flag is valuable precisely because it is a documented community artifact. It connects Hockinson residents to Washington's statehood era and preserves the work of local women who created an object intended to represent their community and country.
How 1889 differs from 1884
The year 1884 is associated with the post-office and naming story tied to Ambrosius Hokanson. Read How Hockinson Got Its Name for that distinction.
Historical sources
- “A Pioneer Spirit,” historic Hockinson flag history
- Historic 38-star flag photograph/caption identifying the flag as made by women of Hockinson in 1889
- From a Forest Clearing: A History of Hockinson School
Explore more Hockinson
Explore the complete Hockinson history hub · Read the broader history of Hockinson · Shop the Hockinson Heritage 1884–2026 Series · Shop all Hockinson apparel
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