The County Flags of Texas

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Of the 254 counties which comprise the State of Texas, 47 are currently known to have flags. Most of these county flags have been officially adopted, but some counties display their flags without benefit of legislative action. The nation's bicentennial and Texas' sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) were "banner years" for flag adoptions. Flags have also been adopted in conjunction with some special anniversary or event within a county.

Many of the counties employ their flags on a regular basis, whereas some of the flags, having been adopted specifically for some special occasion, seem to have fallen into disuse. Some county flags, such as those of Dallas and Collin, are seen frequently, flown on government buildings daily; others, such as Lipscomb and Jones exist only in the courthouse, the sole example of their kind, confined to a wall or pole indoors.

It is probably not surprising that many Texas county flags employ the colors red, white, and blue in combination, or feature a Lone Star. Some incorporate the State Flag in whole or in part. Nonetheless, a few have avoided the trend and chosen flags that contrast well with Old Glory or the State Flag.

While the earliest flags served to express discontent with Mexican governmental practices, later flags tend to praise the quality of life within their particular counties, or reflect the counties' rôles as part of greater Texas. The oldest county flags apparently in use are those of Goliad and Gonzales: both use Texas Revolution battle flags associated with their areas, but neither has legally recognized them as county flags. It seems that the first county flags actually adopted date only to 1964 and belonged to Red River, which continues to use its design, and Travis, which subsequently updated its seal.

The newest county flag may not yet be known outside of its own borders.

From the simplicity of Collin County's flag to the intricate detail of Travis', the Flags of the Counties of Texas are as varied and colorful as the counties they represent.