Nacogdoches has had 10 Flags?!

Nacogdoches is a wonderful place to visit and further explore the vibrant history of Texas (I have been to this quaint town twice, once in 2019 when I presented my East Texas State Teachers College research at the East Texas Historical Association conference, and in 2021 on my honeymoon). During each visit, I have craved for more delicious, Southern food as well as time at the many historical sites the town boosts. I plan to make another trip to Nacogdoches soon... yet, the premise of this post is addressing the ongoing mystery on whether 10 flags have flown over Nacogdoches. As history tells us, Nacogdoches has had nine flags prominently displayed in its main square over 400+ years (Nacogdoches is the state's oldest town!). Spain, once Europe's prominent naval power, spread its imperialist tentacles in the New World during the sixteenth and seventeenth century, laying claim to South America, Latin America, and Southwest of the U.S., including Nacogdoches (Natives inhabited the Texas plains during most of this era). The French flag flew over Nacogdoches between 1685 and 1690 (when France and Spain entered negotiations on Texas). In early 1812, José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutierrez de Lara, a Mexican revolutionary, led an expedition through the Texas territory and claimed Nacogdoches as their own; their flag was a green backdrop. 

Stephen F. Austin State University, located in Nacogdoches, displays the town's nine flags in this logo. Photograph from SFA University website.

James Long, an American filibuster, attempted to seize control of Spanish Texas in 1819, several years after the Mexican expedition had failed. Long successfully established an independent government in Nacogdoches in June 1819, however, was defeated by the Spanish that October. Long's Republic flag, a version of the 'Stars & Stripes' with one star in the top-left corner, flew over the Texas town for less than four months. In 1821, Mexico gained their independence from the Spanish Empire, and the Mexican tri-color with the eagle, was attached to Nacogdoches' flag poles, the fifth flag to fly above the small town. Nacogdoches was host to a famously-recorded rebellion in 1826, the Fredonian Rebellion. Haden and Benjamin Edwards, a pair of American empresarios, disputed their contract land claims with the Mexican government and created their own independent republic called Fredonia. The rebels signed their own Declaration of Independence in the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches on December 21, 1826, and designed a bi-color flag representing the alliance between the area's Natives and Whites (although Native support ultimately did not materialize). Mexican forces crushed the rebellion in January 1827. Mexico's tenure in Texas did not last long as American settlers declared independence in 1836 and engaged in their revolution against dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna, involving a few recognizable battles such as the Alamo and San Jacinto. The Republic of Texas was created after the war and the iconic 'Lone Star' flag was flown above Nacogdoches. In 1845, the republic, led by the feisty General Sam Houston, ceased to be a nation and joined the United States of America as the 28th state, amid much celebration. The thriving town of Nacogdoches had a brief stint under another flag in the mid-ninetieth century when the insubordinate Confederate States of America succeeded from the Union in the spring of 1861 in a desperate effort to preserve slavery. Yet, the United States' flag was again raised over Nacogdoches when Robert E. Lee's army surrendered in April 1865, and has stayed there since...

The nine flags fly above Nacogdoches' City Hall in 2019. Photograph by the author.

According to an article from The Daily Sentinel, a 10th flag flew over Nacogdoches prior to the start of the Civil War. In early 1861, Nacogdoches resident Marcia Raguet and daughter Mary sewed what is believed to be Texas' first secession flag. The flag (which, reported by Dudley Mosele of the Stone Fort Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, is today unidentifiable) was raised over the Raguet family's warehouse near the historic district. Apparently, there were many citizens who complained about the flag, and Henry Raguet, although opposed to the 1861 succession movement, took up arms with his two sons and defended the flag for several days. Since the CSA was not officially established until March 4, many towns in Texas had their own secession flag (it is rumored that Raguet's flag might have been similar to Bonnie Blue Flag, modeled after the flag of the Republic of West Florida). This mystery remains unsolved, and only time will tell when Nacogdoches historians discover the truth in this rumor and adopt the town's "tenth" flag.

An exhibition of Spanish East Texas in Nacogdoches' historical museum (the town's former post office). The museum, located in the heart of the main square, boosts various exhibitions on the history of Nacogdoches, SFA, and the region. This place is well worth a visit! Photograph by the author.