A Kansas Day look at the Baldwin City flag

Happy Kansas Day! In honor of Kansas becoming a state in 1861, here's a look at Baldwin City's official flag. The story behind the flag is quintessential Baldwin City, and also a snapshot of Kansas history. Here's some insight into the symbolism in the flag, in the artist's own words:

“The sunflower references Kansas’ state flower, the Santa Fe trail markers, and gardens all over Baldwin City awash with colorful flowers, while the color yellow speaks of turning toward joy and opportunity. It is the color of sunflowers, and also of many autumn maple leaves. The maple leaf in the center of course references the Festival and also the maple leaf trees all over town, brilliant in the fall. Perhaps the creative energy and success spoken of in the color orange is why it’s also the official color of Baker University. The curving line references the Santa Fe trail, tracing a path through the indigo that is a meeting of purple and deep blue to represent both the Baldwin Schools’ purple and Baker University’s navy. Indigo represents integrity in tradition.”

The flag was designed in 2020 by Baker University alumnus and current Director of Career Services Ashley Kretschmer.