Knoxville in Marion County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Dixie Cornell Gebhardt
1866-1955
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
1. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Marker
[side 1] Was named for her southern heritage. Her patriotic contributions made Knoxville the “Birthplace of the Iowa Flag”. Mrs. Gebhardt, who was DAR State Regent in 1917, appointed a flag committee who, after soliciting more than 81 chapters’ and state officers’ anonymous suggestions, selected Dixie’s typically neat handiwork to become Iowa’s flag. Governor Harding approved her design that year and once referred to Dixie as Iowa’s Betsy Ross. In 1921 Mrs. Gebhardt was issued a copyright for her design which she immediately transferred to the state of Iowa. Other interests of Mrs. Gebhardt were the First Methodist Church, Red Cross, P.E.O., Chapter M, Mary Marion Chapter DAR and the Democratic Party. Dixie lived most of her life in Knoxville and now rests in Graceland Cemetery.
[side 2] Iowa became the 29th state in 1846. Nearly 75 years later, in 1921, Iowa was the 46th state to officially adopt a state flag. The original 1917 drawing was designed to identify Iowa military regiments during World War I. Blue, white and red which represented loyalty, purity and courage were inspired by the American flag and the flag of France, who claimed the land twice until the
this page online
Mary Marion Chapter DAR
P.E.O. Chapter M
Marion County Historical Society
1996 Marion County Sesquicentennial Commission
Dixie was a charter member
Erected by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Memorial Coalition.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 41° 19.092′ N, 93° 5.809′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Iowa, in Marion County. Marker is on East Robinson Street just east of South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the walkway near the southeast corner of the Marion County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 East Main Street, Knoxville IA 50138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Red Rock Line (here, next to this marker); 1942 M5 - 3" Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Erected to the Memory of All Departed Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
2. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt
Also see . . .
1. Flag of Iowa (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The State of Iowa did not have a banner for the first 75 years of its conception, largely because of calls for national unity during and after the American Civil War, in which Iowa fought for the Union. It was not until World War I that the creation of a state banner was requested, recorded first by the Iowa Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1917, Iowa was one of three states that had no banner.(Submitted on December 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
Originally a member of Abigail Adams(Submitted on December 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (Des Moines), Gebhardt became the organizer and charter member of Mary Marion Chapter of DAR (Knoxville) in 1917. At the beginning of World War I, Iowa had no state flag, and such a flag would have been expected to be carried by regiments from that state. Gebhardt's flag design was chosen from among several submissions by Governor William L. Harding and the Iowa Council on National Defense. It became the official flag of the state in 1921.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 20213. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Memorial
(side 1)
3. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt (Find A Grave). Excerpt:
Gebhardt chose the colors of the Iowa State Flag for historical reasons. Iowa was under French rule twice before becoming a state. It was annexed formally by France in 1682, ceded to Spain in 1762, and returned to France in 1800. In 1803, it passed to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Iowa's flag colors, similar to France's own national flag, were chosen to signify France's part in what is now Iowa. The colors also have another deeper significance, as well. White was chosen to symbolize the unwritten page of history at our state's beginning, when the Indians, the first Americans, lived on Iowa's prairies. Blue is a symbol of(Submitted on December 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)loyalty, and red stands for courage. The center of the flag depicts a soaring eagle carrying a banner of the state motto, "Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain." By combining the eagle, a symbol of our nation, and the state's motto, Gebhardt wanted to convey the fact that Iowa is now an integral part of the United States.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 20214. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Memorial
(side 2)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
5. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Memorial – Iowa Flag Symbols
6. Iowa State Flag, designed by Dixie Cornell Gebhardt
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
7. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on January 22, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on December 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
