INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis flag store owner called the man who designed the city's banner to thank him for his creativity. That phone call led to a special delivery of Indianapolis history.
Michael Green of Flags For Good received the original draft of the Indianapolis city flag from its designer, Roger Gohl.
"When he gave it to me, he wrote a note that says, 'It's your turn to take care of it now, and I'm pleased that it will be yours. Handle with care.'" Green said. "I would text Roger pictures of the Indy flag as I saw it around the city, just to show him his legacy."
Gohl designed Indianapolis' flag in 1962 while studying at the Herron School of Art & Design. The design on blue features a red circle with a white star symbolizing Monument Circle as well as white horizontal and vertical lines reminiscent of Market and Meridian Streets.
He opened up to Green about his history with the flag during several months of phone calls.
"I wasn't participating in the flag competition because I wanted to design a flag," Gohl said in his conversations with Green. "It was an assignment, and I was trying to get an A in that class."
Gohl passed away in 2024. Green is working on a documentary about the flag featuring their phone conversations and hopes to exhibit the original Indianapolis flag at some point.
"I wish it had a more public place to live," Green said. "Hopefully, we're working on that."
Although the original draft is in safekeeping, the city flag design can be seen on municipal vehicles, Indianapolis Indians uniforms, and city landmarks such as Bicentennial Unity Plaza.
"Everyone who has been to Indy or lives here understands it immediately," Green said. "You have the circle since we are the Circle City. Indianapolis has adopted this flag as a civic symbol."
-
Pato O’Ward shares mentality as he looks for first Indy 500 win
Pato O’Ward has been so close to winning the Indianapolis 500. Despite the heartbreak in the past, O’Ward still treasures his time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indianapolis leaders cut ribbon on new animal shelter
On Wednesday, Indianapolis leaders cut the ribbon on a new shelter designed to improve care for thousands of animals each year.
Comfortable Thursday, rain chances return for the weekend
Nice weather continues into Thursday. A big warm-up looms for the weekend with a few rain chances. A warm front lifts into Indiana on Saturday.
Police dog aids IMPD in capture of suspect shortly after bank robbery
A male was captured following a Wednesday afternoon bank robbery and police chase on the northeast side of Indianapolis, authorities said.
