It’s been nearly a decade since Milwaukee’s flag was put on notice. In a 2015 TED Talk, design podcast host Roman Mars declared Cream City’s official banner “one of the biggest train wrecks in vexillological history.” The rant sparked hand-wringing around the city and brought attention to Milwaukee designer Steve Kodis’ grassroots contest to replace the seven-decade-old, kitchen-sink flag.
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Working with local nonprofit Greater Together on community outreach, the initiative drew in more than 1,000 design proposals, which were winnowed down by a panel of experts and then voted on by the public.
Flash forward nearly a decade, and Robert Lenz’s winning “Sunrise Over the Lake” design is widely accepted as the “People’s Flag of Milwaukee.” There have been multiple failed efforts to make it the official city flag, but this summer Ald. Peter Burgelis reopened the conversation with the hope of raising it outside City Hall in 2025. We asked two experts to break down the symbolism in each.
Current Flag
Getting in Gear
City Hall is superimposed over a large gear, which represents the city’s industrial history. Inside the gear are quadrants with individual symbols representing the city’s Native American heritage, culture and libraries, manufacturing and military service.
Building Blocks
“It’s been described as more of a mural than a flag,” says Steve Schaffer, lead archivist for the Milwaukee County Historical Society. He points to individual elements like County Stadium and Milwaukee Arena, which were a huge deal in the ’50s when it was designed. “This flag really didn’t allow for any kind of change over time; it’s locked in 1954,” he says.
Con-text
The city’s name and year of incorporation are noted in big text. (Words are frowned upon in vexillology.) A spike of barley and a bright red ship also get pride of place on the flag, representing the city’s brewing and port roots. Most modern reproductions of the official flag (including this one) have been modified somewhat from the original 1956 design.
People’s Flag
Color Coordinated
Gold for the city’s rich brewing history, navy as a symbol of Lake Michigan, light blue to represent our rivers and white to show the sun rising over a new day. It’s no coincidence that these colors are all over Milwaukee – picture the Hoan Bridge, Milwaukee Art Museum, Bublr Bikes, MCTS buses and even the Milwaukee Brewers. The colors also pay homage to the design of the city’s current flag.
Rise and Shine
“The sun rising over Lake Michigan symbolizes a new day,” Kodis says. The Lake Michigan sunrise has long been a city symbol dating back to the city’s official seal, which was designed when the city was incorporated in 1846.
Time for Reflection
In the sun’s reflection there are three lines representing Milwaukee’s three rivers as well as the city’s three original settlements: Kilbourn Town, Juneau Town and Walker’s Point.
