JUNE 25, 2025 — Decatur, Indiana, has officially unveiled its first city flag, according to WZBD Radio.
The winning design, created by local resident Don Gephart, was revealed during Downtown Decatur Day on June 21.
Gephart, a graduate of Bellmont High School and resident of Adams County, was awarded $1,000 for his design, which was selected through a combination of committee review and public voting.
City Council member Jenny Bowers-Shultz, who initiated the project, announced the winner at the unveiling event. Bowers-Shultz had first proposed the idea last fall, and the city launched a public design contest open to participants from across the country.
The design process followed the flag design principles outlined by the North American Vexillological Association, emphasizing simplicity, meaningful symbolism, and distinctiveness. From 52 submissions, a committee composed of five local residents narrowed the field to three finalists. The public then voted on the top designs, with Gephart’s entry emerging as both the committee’s recommendation and the public’s clear favourite.
The flag’s design carries multiple layers of symbolism, according to the flag description. A single gold star at the centre represents Decatur’s status as the county seat and its role as Adams County’s largest municipality. Surrounding the star are olive branches, inspired by the legacy of naval hero Stephen Decatur and the USS Decatur’s motto, “In Pursuit of Peace.” These elements also connect the flag to the county courthouse’s Peace Monument, underlining the city’s values of harmony and honour.
Three horizontal stripes flank the central emblem, symbolizing the U.S. highways that connect Decatur to broader state and national networks. The colour scheme draws directly from the Indiana state flag: gold stands for excellence, prosperity, and honour; blue conveys loyalty, stability, and tradition; and white represents peace and a hopeful future.
While the design has been publicly revealed, it still awaits formal approval from the Decatur City Council, which is expected to finalize its adoption during its next meeting on July 1.
