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ROCKWALL'S ICONIC AMERICAN FLAG
Standing tall along Interstate 30, Rockwall’s American flag has become a recognizable landmark and a patriotic welcome for residents and visitors entering the city. Installed in September 2022, the impressive flag and pole require plenty of teamwork and behind-the-scenes care to keep the stars and stripes flying proudly.
THE FLAG BY THE NUMBERS
50 x 80 feet
The flag covers an incredible 4,000 square feet.
120 pounds
That’s the weight of the flag alone.
190 feet tall
The flagpole rises 190 feet above the ground and weighs approximately 30,000 pounds.
September 19, 2022
The date Rockwall’s flagpole was installed.
Made in Texas
The flagpole was manufactured in San Antonio, Texas, while the flags are manufactured in Irving, Texas.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO KEEP IT FLYING?
Rockwall’s Internal Operations Department manages the flag and oversees maintenance of both the flag and pole. Raising and lowering a flag of this size is no small task and the number of crew members needed depends heavily on wind conditions. On a calm day, approximately four to five employees are needed to raise the flag. In windy conditions, that number can increase to 10 to 12 employees. When additional hands are needed, the Parks Department assists the Internal Operations crew. Lowering the flag typically requires two to three employees on a calm day, with crews guiding it directly into the bed of a pickup truck to keep it safely off the ground.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Despite its massive size, an experienced crew can move pretty quickly. Clipping a replacement flag into place and raising it to the top takes approximately 15 minutes, while lowering the flag generally takes about five to 10 minutes. Weather and wind conditions can significantly affect that process, and crews will only raise or lower the flag when it is safe to do so.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A FLAG IS DAMAGED?
The City keeps several flags on hand so they can be rotated as needed. Currently, four replacement flags are in stock. Because of their size and exposure to the elements, the flags naturally experience wear and tear. Rather than immediately replacing a damaged flag, each one can generally be repaired about twice before it needs to be retired. Keeping Rockwall’s flag flying takes planning, maintenance and teamwork, but for the crews who care for it, it’s all part of maintaining a landmark that has come to symbolize pride in the Rockwall community.
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