John’s Flags

John’s Flags

John Sarafis, historian and docent for the Sam Houston Museum in Huntsville, Texas, is also a glass artist and has created a series of historical, Texas flags. These beautiful, original designs are created in fused (kiln-formed) glass in various sizes. Most of the flags are approximately 11″ x 17,” however, we are in the process of creating even larger, and more beautiful flags appropriate for fireplace mantels, large rooms, etc. Commissioned and custom orders are welcome.

The Lone Star and Stripes – Texas Navy – 1835-1839

Out of the many designs revolutionary patriots had created, a generally recognized and semi-official flag of Texas emerged in late 1835. This banner, or one of its variants, probably flew over the Alamo, led the volunteers at San Jaciinto, identified the warships of the new republic’s navy, and portrayed Texas to the world until at least 1839.

(Hold your mouse over the flag at right to see a different version of the same flag.)

The 1824 “Alamo” Flag

This tri-color was the first legal flag of revolutionary Texas, and some government, commissioned ships displayed it until at least February, 1836. It aligned the Texians with the Mexican Federalists and advocated a return to the Mexican constitution of 1824 which Santa Ana had overturned. Although students of Texas history have long accepted this flag as “the Alamo Flag,” it is doubtful whether the defenders of the Alamo had any intention of returning to the Mexican Constitution of 1824 after the Texas Declaration of Independence was formally passed on March 2, 1836.

The Dodson Flag
First Tri-Color Lone Star Flag

Sarah Dodson, wife of Lt. Archeleus Dodson of the Harrisburg volunteers, pieced together three squares of red, white, and blue calico in this first tri-color, lone star which is a symbol of revolution and independence. Soldiers who served in the Texian army recalled seeing this flag along the line of march from Harrisburg to Bexar. The Dodson flag accompanied the army to Cibolo Creek and may have been the first banner raised over San Antonio after it’s capture in December 1835. On March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day, it was one of two flags that flew over the one-room cabin where the delegates ratified the declaration for Texas independence.