Oops! Wrong Spanish flag on city logo

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter – News Analyst

We all know that Amelia Island is the Isle of Eight Flags. But which flags? Over the years little and big controversies have seemed to come and go over the correct flag for the correct period of history. The most recent discovery of an incorrect flag came to the attention of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) during its March 15, 2016 Regular Meeting when local historian Tom Raymond politely but firmly told them that while most places in town got it right, somehow City Hall had the wrong version of the Spanish flag hanging in City Hall Commission Chambers.

Not only that, but that the eight flags were displayed in the wrong order both historically and according to protocol for displaying the American flag.

Raymond said that this time the problem lies with the Spanish flag of the 1500’s. “An issue for me, some say a passion, is the story of the isle of eight flags, which has been a marketing tool, an icon here for half a century,” he said. The Amelia Island Museum of History, the Visitors Bureau, the Shrimp Festival and the Amelia Now Magazine have displayed the correct flag for years, Raymond said.

According to Raymond, the Spanish flag currently depicted in the city seal and displayed in Commission Chambers is the “Castle and Lion” flag, which was the flag of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. However, this flag predates the Spanish presence on Amelia Island. But Raymond went on to explain that even at that time Spain made a distinction between the offices of the viceroys in the Caribbean, Mexico and St. Augustine and those of their military outposts and Franciscan missions in what they called their Spanish Overseas Territories, including Isla Santa Maria, today’s Amelia Island.

The red, diagonal cross on white background—the Cross of Burgundy—was the flag that flew on Amelia Island during Spanish occupation. “How this got missed when the city revised its seal in 2010-2011 is not important now,” Raymond said. “And I am not suggesting that the city spend thousands of dollars to fix thousands of logos around town. The there is an opportunity to make three visible, relatively inexpensive adjustments here in this chamber: replace the cloth flag, correct the artwork behind the commissioners bench, and a couple of logos.”

He joked, “If you allow me to do it with some white out and a red Sharpie, I’ll be happy to get started.” This generated chuckles from the commissioners.

Mayor Johnny Miller supported the suggested easy fixes, and Commissioner Tim Poynter agreed. “It’s unfortunate that we did all that with the wrong flag,” Miller said. “But it would take thousands of dollars to go out and fix all the mistakes.”

Commissioners also agreed to correct the order of the flags displayed in the chamber. Mayor Miller agreed to contact artist Susi Sax, who produced the artwork behind the commissioners’ bench, to secure her help in correcting the flag depicted in her work.

Commissioners thanked Raymond for bringing the matter to their attention.

Raymond also noted that correct flag protocol dictates that the American flag be displayed to the north.

The order of the flags will change as part of the small-scale renovation of Commission Chambers that will begin on March 18 and be completed in time for the April 5 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission. As part of that renovation, the orientation of the Clerk’s Desk will change and technology will be improved.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.