Avenue of Flags

Visitors walk along the Avenue of Flags with Mount Rushmore in the background.

NPS Photo

 

History

Flags are powerful symbols, which remind people of their common heritage, history and ideals. The Avenue of Flags was initially established as part of the celebration of the United States' Bicentennial in 1976 at the request of a visitor. The 56 flags represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the United States of America.

Placement

The flags are arranged in alphabetical order with the A’s on the walkway near the concession building and the W’s near the Visitor Center and Museum. The names of each state, district, commonwealth or territory are listed on the pillars directly below each flag. If you have trouble locating your flag, ask a park ranger for assistance.

 

Admission of States

One Through Ten

 1. Delaware - December 7, 1787
 2. Pennsylvania - December 12, 1787
 3. New Jersey - December 18, 1787
 4. Georgia - January 2, 1788
 5. Connecticut - January 9, 1788
 6. Massachusetts - February 6, 1788
 7. Maryland - April 28, 1788
 8. South Carolina - May 23, 1788
 9. New Hampshire - June 21, 1788
10. Virginia - June 25, 1788

Eleven Through Twenty

11. New York - July 26, 1788
12. North Carolina - November 21, 1789
13. Rhode Island - May 29, 1790
14. Vermont - March 4, 1791
15. Kentucky - June 1, 1792
16. Tennessee - June 1, 1796
17. Ohio - March 1, 1803
18. Louisiana - April 30, 1812
19. Indiana - December 11, 1816
20. Mississippi - December 10, 1817

Twenty-one Through Thirty

21. Illinois - December 3, 1818
22. Alabama - December 14, 1819
23. Maine - March 15, 1820
24 Missouri - August 10, 1821
25. Arkansas - June 15, 1836
26. Michigan - January 26, 1837
27. Florida - March 3, 1845
28. Texas - December 29, 1845
29. Iowa - December 28, 1846
30. Wisconsin - May 29, 1848

Thirty-one Through Forty

31. California - September 9, 1850
32. Minnesota - May 11, 1858
33. Oregon - February 14, 1859
34. Kansas - January 29, 1861
35. West Virginia - June 20, 1863
36. Nevada - October 31, 1864
37. Nebraska - March 1, 1867
38. Colorado - August 1, 1876
39. North Dakota - November 2, 1889
40. South Dakota - November 2, 1889

Forty- one Through Fifty

41. Montana - November 8, 1889
42. Washington - November 11, 1889
43. Idaho - July 3, 1890
44. Wyoming - July 10, 1890
45. Utah - January 4, 1896
46. Oklahoma - November 16, 1907
47. New Mexico - January 6, 1912
48. Arizona - February 14, 1912
49. Alaska - January 3, 1959
50. Hawaii - August 21, 1959

Districts, Commonwealths and Territories

District of Columbia - July 16, 1790
Territory of Guam - April 11, 1899
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - April 11, 1899
Territory of American Samoa - April 17, 1900
Territory of the U. S. Virgin Islands - March 31, 1917
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - November 4, 1986