Columbus in Polk County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

1765 - Sons of Liberty Flag

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

1. 1765 - Sons of Liberty Flag Marker

Inscription. The nine stripes of the vertical Sons of Liberty flagbrepresented the nine protesting colonies that participated in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. The flag's 9 vertical red and white stripes were symbolic of "45" the number of the pamphlet published in 1763 by the English civil-rights activist John Wilkes, who influenced the American revolutionary movement. The symbolism of '9' also applied to nine states at the adoption of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Vexillology series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1765.

Location. 35° 15.106′ N, 82° 11.856′ W. Marker is in Columbus, North Carolina, in Polk County. It is on Gibson Street north of Ward Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is a part of the display of historic flags at Veterans Park. They are in a planter at the west side of the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Gibson St, Columbus NC 28722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1774 Taunton Flag (here, next to this marker); 1775 - Grand Union (Continental Colors) Flag (here, next to this marker); 1775 - Flag of New England (a.k.a. Bunker Hill Flag)

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(here, next to this marker); Polk County Civil War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Star Spangled Banner - 1795 to 1818 (here, next to this marker); 1781 - Guilford Courthouse Flag (a few steps from this marker); 1781 - NC Hornet's Nest Flag (a few steps from this marker); 1781 - Battle of Cowpens Flag (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Full view of the north side of the historic flags markers. Sons of Liberty indicated by the arrow image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, February 7, 2025

2. Full view of the north side of the historic flags markers. Sons of Liberty indicated by the arrow

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.