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what are those flags for?
01/28/2008 6:21 AM by John M
A reader asks: “What are those magnolia- purple and gold flags? I see them everywhere. What is the story? They seem especially numerous in Fairmount?”
New BHC houses on Q Street
Last spring, right before the park dedication at Q and 23rd Streets, the flags were given to the homeowners of houses that have been built or restored by Better Housing Coalition. The reason that these flags are so prevalent in Fairmount is because much of southern Fairmount is in one of the city’s Neighborhood’s in Bloom program.
TAGGED: Fairmount
Thanks for clearing that up. I have been seeing them around and always wondered what was behind the magnolia. My theory was that a community association sold them as a fundraiser.
what is the solid yellow flag flying in front of the Chimbo Hospital for?
C.S. Medical Department/Medical Service:
The organization of the Confederate Medical Department/Medical Service was identical to that of the United States Medical Department in 1861. It is probable that the same system, use of yellow flags to mark the location of hospitals. (The Army Medical Department 1818-1865). Confederate Veteran XIX, reunion announcement “Medical Officers Army and Navy, C.S.A. – Our place of meeting will be the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, centrally located and easily accessible by the display from the front of a yellow flag, the hospital insignia of the Confederate Army”. Confederate Veteran XXII ” Dr. Simon Baruch, remembers the day of His capture at the Black Horse Tavern Field Hospital on the Hagerstown Road, I directed the Union Adjutant General’s attention to the yellow rag on the lightning rod and said; you fired five shells after that hospital flag was hoisted”
The use of the yellow flag in the U.S. dates back to 1700’s. The flag was used as a quarantine flag for ships suspected of carrying contagious disease. “An act to prevent Sickly Vessels from Coming into this Government” City of Philadelphia 1699. A yellow flag was also used to mark the location of hospitals in the “Marine Hospital Service” July 16, 1798 Federal Public Health Law “An act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen” signed by President John Adams. The hospitals of the “Marine Hospital Service” was under the Department of the Treasury at that time. At the start of the Civil War (War of Northern Aggression) as a Federal enterprise, “Marine Hospital Service” operated 27 hospitals. By comparison, the U.S. Army had 98 medical officers, 20 thermometers, 6 stethoscopes and a few medical text books. The Confederate Medical Department had 24 medical officers. In 1864 the “United States Marine Hospital Service” only had 8 hospitals in service, the others had been transferred to the U.S. Army Medical Service and the southern hospitals were taken over for military use by the Confederate Medical Service.
its a neighborhood in bloom
Anyone interested in trying to develop a really nice and appropriate Church Hill house flag? I have seen them in the Fan and also in the Byrd Park area.
Such flags help to create a sort of community/neighborhood identity and harmony.
Ideas?
JJ
It notes a hospital and the use of the yellow flag in the U.S. dates back to 1700’s. The flag was used as a quarantine flag for ships suspected of carrying contagious disease. The yellow flag with the green H was adopted as a hospital flag by the US Army under a General Order issued on 4 January 1864. Prior to that, the only flag used was a plain yellow flag. I don’t believe that the CS Army ever used anything other than the unmarked yellow flag as a hospital flag.
John: I like the idea of a community flag, but thought there should be a discussion about whether Church Hill, Union Hill and Fairmount might all have different flags that celebrate their own place in Richmond’s history. Or perhaps one flag with St. John’s Church or another appropriate symbol might fit all of greater “Church Hill”.
I would also love to see tasteful and uniform plaques made for historic structures all over Church Hill, Union Hill and Fairmount. The Smith House, Circa 1860, Union Hill Historic District.
Both these projects could be fundraisers for a Civic Association or Community Group.
There is a program currently in the design stage through the Church Hill Association for plaques for individual houses. John Johnson, the VP of CHA is in charge.
A Church Hill flag is a great idea! If someone were to design it, manaufacture it, and offer it for sale, I would buy one.
Perhaps the CHA should have a design competition and the local artists and designers could submit ideas?
This could be a big money maker for the CHA to supplement its current revenue sources.