Sonoma in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Raising of the Bear Flag

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 17, 2023

1. Raising of the Bear Flag Marker

Inscription. This Monument was erected by the Native Sons of the Golden West and the State of California to commemorate the raising of the Bear Flag on this spot June 14, 1846 by the Bear Flag Party and their declaration of freedom of California from Mexican rule. On July 9, 1846 the Bear Flag was hauled down and the American Flag here raised in its place by Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere, U.S.A., who was sent to Sonoma from San Francisco by Commander John D. Montgomery of the U.S. Sloop of War “Portsmouth”, following the raising of the American Flag at Monterey July 7, 1846 by Commodore John Drake Sloat.

Erected 1914 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, and the Vexillology series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1810.

Location. 38° 17.594′ N, 122° 27.408′ W. Marker is in Sonoma, California, in Sonoma County. It is at the intersection of First Street East and

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East Spain Street, on the right when traveling south on First Street East. Marker and Monument are located at the North Eastern corner of the Sonoma City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sonoma CA 95476, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Wine Country,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sonoma Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Toscano Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The End of the Mission Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Sonoma State Historic Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Toscano Hotel (within shouting distance

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 17, 2023

2. Raising of the Bear Flag Marker

of this marker); General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vasquez House (about 300 feet away); Mission San Francisco Solano Sacred Ground (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonoma.

More about this marker. The crossed flag and bear plaque and the statue were designed by John McQuarry (Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 6 August 1915, p2), the "Raising of the Bear Flag" plaque on the back of the monument was designed by local artist Paul Robin (Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 17 August 1915, p2).

The original Bear Flag was designed by William Todd, nephew of the wife of Abraham Lincoln.

On July 9, 1846, the Bear Flag was replaced with the Stars and Stripes by Lt.Joseph Revere, grandson of Paul Revere.

The Bear Flag became the official state flag in 1911.

Regarding Raising of the Bear Flag. The original Bear Flag was made in the Sonoma Barracks on June 14 or 15, 1846. It flew over Sonoma until July 9, 1846 when it was replaced by the Stars and Stripes. Other Bear Flags - four or more of them - were made between June 15 and July 9 for use at Bodega Bay and elsewhere.

Artwork on Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

3. Artwork on Back of Monument

The Raising of the Bear Flag, June 14, 1846

When the original Bear Flag was lowered at Sonoma July 9, it was given as a momento to one of the sons of Captain Montgomery of the U.S.S. Portsmouth then at anchor in San Francisco Bay. Montgomery took the flag to Washington,D.C. where it was placed in the archives of the Naval Department. In 1855, at the request of California's Congressional delegation, the flag was returned to California for permanent display in the San Francisco headquarters of the Society of California Pioneers. The flag on display here is a copy made by Pioneers before the original flag was destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906.
Source: Sonoma Barracks Museum.

This site was designated California Historical Landmark No. 7 on June 1, 1932, and re-dedicated by the Native Sons of the Golden West, April 2000.

Also see . . .
1. Bear Flagger’s Statements. The Bear Flag Museum Collection of statements made regarding the Bear Flag Party (Submitted on January 12, 2009.)

2. Peter Storm and the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 and it's connection to Calistoga. Who really designed the first Bear Flag? This 2018 article by Kathy Bazzoli

Additional Marker at the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

4. Additional Marker at the Monument

Donated by the Native Sons of the Golden West, April 2000.

of the Sharpsteen Museum printed in the Napa Valley Register says it was Nancy Kelsey who sewed it and Peter Storm who painted it and the bear was up on two feet, menacing with its claws. Excerpt:

Nancy always attended the Bear Flag meetings at the mill with her husband Ben and the others and the evening of June 13 was no different. As she stood outside listening to Bob Semple rant about the wonders of republicanism, she saw Peter approaching her. He told her that the men needed a flag, that he had made a drawing and needed her help, did she have any cloth he could paint on? This idea stirred Nancy, she walked indoors, turned up her skirts and ripped out some pieces of her petticoats – two patches of white and two of red. With her needle and thread she sewed them together into a square with the white on the top and the red beneath.

Handing the “flag” to Peter, he proudly stretched the cloth across a large rock. On the white, he painted a standing grizzly bear, threatening with its paws, and a single star. It was left to dry as the meeting continued. In a few hours they would all leave Bale Mill via the Mayacama Trail.

(Submitted on September 28, 2024.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Original Bear Flag Replica image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 10, 2008

5. Original Bear Flag Replica

On display at Sonoma Barracks Museum.

Presidio Barracks (Sonoma Barracks) and Bear Flag Monument
The Sonoma Barracks was erected in 1836, by General Vallejo, as quarters for the Mexican soldiers that defended the Pueblo de Sonoma. In June 1846, concerned that Mexico was planning to drive American settlers out of California, Captain John Fremont and a party of 33 men made a surprise attack against the Pueblo de Sonoma and captured General Vallejo. Since their action didn't represent the United States, the American Flag could not be raised. Instead, the "Bear Flag of the California Republic" was created and raised over Sonoma. Three weeks later American forces landed in Monterey and declared California a territory of the United States. On July 9, 1846, the Bear Flag was replaced with the "Stars and Stripes" by Lt.Joseph Revere, grandson of Paul Revere.
Source: Discover Historic California, by George & Jan Roberts

— Submitted January 13, 2009.

Photographed by A.F.Broad, San Francisco

6. Postcard

“Bear Flag Monument, Sonoma, Cal.”

Photographed by Ed Wood, Forestville, Cal. , H.S. Crocker, S.F.

7. Postcard

Monument to the Raising of the Bear Flag, Sonoma, California.
This monument was erected by the Native Sons of the Golden West and the State of California to commemorate the raising of the Bear Flag on this spot June14, 1846 by the Bear Flag Party and their declaration of the freedom of California from Mexican rule. On July 9, 1846, the Bear Flag was hauled down and the American Flag raised in its place by Lt. J.W. Revere, U.S.A., who was sent to Sonoma from San Francisco by Commander J.B. Montgomery of the U.S. Sloop of War Portsmouth, following the raising of the American Flag at Monterey July 7, 1846, by Commodore John Drake Sloat.

Sign at Sonoma Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

8. Sign at Sonoma Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,896 times since then and 124 times this year. Last updated on December 3, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6, 7. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on January 12, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.