FARMINGTON—To celebrate Utah’s 125th anniversary of statehood, a simultaneous fireworks show will take place in 29 counties on Jan. 4, including Davis County. The county has a special connection to the event – a 45-star flag created in 1896 when Utah became a state.

The flag was donated by the American Legion Farmington Post 27. “In 2006 a fellow American Legionnaire from another state, Ron Meyers, found it in the loft of a barn in the rafters,” said American Legion Farmington Post 27 Commander, William Huber. “He knew that Utah was the 45th state so he contacted us and related what he had found and asked if we’d be interested in the flag.” 

Huber said they brought the flag to a meeting and tried to decide what to do with it. “We asked the Utah Historical Society and they already had one and so did Fort Douglas. We thought we had good support from the county, they’d been allowing us to hold meetings in the old Courthouse so we decided to give it to them.”

The post raised money to get the flag framed and a plaque made then donated it to the county commission Feb. 26, 2008. “They had invited an elementary school class to sing some patriotic songs,” he said. “Then we presented it to commissioners Alan Hansen, Bret Millburn and Louenda Downs.”

“The 45-star flag remained our nation’s symbol of freedom and courage until 1907 when Oklahoma joined the Union,” the plaque reads. “To Utah citizens, the 45-star American flag holds special historical significance as it offers the opportunity to reflect and appreciate the nearly 50-year struggle our ancestors confronted to earn Statehood and secure the freedoms, liberties and rights that we enjoy.”

The American Legion Farmington Post 27 has members from communities throughout Davis County.

“May this flag serve as a constant reminder that the freedoms, liberties and rights we enjoy have come at a great cost to those serving in the various branches of the U.S. military,” the plaque’s inscription continues. “May our nation’s citizens be constantly vigilant and honor the principles of virtue, justice, democracy, and the pursuit of truth.”

The public can view the flag and plaque on the second floor of the Administration Building at 61 South Main Street in Farmington.