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Oregon holds two unique distinctions: its state seal is one of the most narrative in the nation, and its flag is the only US state flag with two different sides. The seal, designed by Harvey Gordon in 1857 and adopted at statehood on 14 February 1859, tells the story of the Oregon Country’s transition from British to American control: an eagle atop a shield with mountains, an elk, a covered wagon, and the Pacific Ocean where a British warship departs as an American steamer arrives. The flag, adopted on 26 February 1925, displays the seal’s escutcheon on a navy blue front and a gold beaver — the state animal — on the reverse.
| State | Oregon (33rd state, admitted 14 February 1859) |
|---|---|
| State seal | Eagle, shield (mountains, elk, wagon, ships), 33 stars, The Union |
| Seal designer | Harvey Gordon (1857) |
| State flag | Front: navy blue with escutcheon. Reverse: gold beaver |
| Flag adopted | 26 February 1925 |
| Capital | Salem |
| Nickname | The Beaver State |
| State flower | Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) |
| Unique distinction | Only US state flag with different designs on each side |
State Seal of Oregon — The Union — since 1859
The Oregon seal is a visual narrative of westward expansion and the transfer of sovereignty over the Oregon Country.
An American eagle sits atop a shield divided into scenes. The upper portion shows mountains and the Pacific Ocean, where a British man-of-war departs and an American steamer arrives — symbolizing the end of British rule after the Oregon Treaty of 1846. An elk represents the plentiful game. A covered wagon evokes the Oregon Trail. The lower portion shows a sheaf of wheat, a plow, and a pickaxe for agriculture and mining. A banner reads “The Union,” and 33 stars surround the seal (Oregon was the 33rd state).
At the 1857 Oregon Constitutional Convention in Salem, a committee of Benjamin F. Burch, LaFayette Grover, and James K. Kelly was appointed to design the seal. They adopted a proposal from Harvey Gordon, adding an elk to the design.
Before statehood, Oregon used the Salmon Seal of the Provisional Government and the Seal of the Oregon Territory.
Flag of Oregon — The only two-sided US state flag, adopted 1925
Oregon’s flag is unique in the United States: it is the only state flag with different designs on each side.
A navy blue field bears the escutcheon (center part) of the state seal, with “State of Oregon” above and “1859” below. 33 stars surround the escutcheon.
A gold beaver on a navy blue field. The beaver is Oregon’s state animal, a legacy of the fur trade that drove early settlement of the region.
Oregon was among the last states to adopt a flag. In 1925, Portland postmaster J.M. Jones asked for a flag to display at the US Post Office Department, prompting the legislature to act. The flag was adopted on 26 February 1925. The first official flag was sewn by Marjorie Kennedy and Blanche Cox at the Meier & Frank department store in Portland.
Eagle atop a shield with mountains, elk, covered wagon, and Pacific Ocean with departing British warship / arriving American steamer. 33 stars, banner “The Union.” Designed by Harvey Gordon, adopted 1859.
Oregon is the only US state with different designs on each side. The front shows the seal escutcheon; the reverse shows a gold beaver.
The state animal. Oregon is “The Beaver State” because fur trading was a major industry in the early 19th century.
26 February 1925, prompted by Portland postmaster J.M. Jones. First flag sewn at Meier & Frank in Portland.
The British warship departing and American steamer arriving symbolize the transition from British to American control after the Oregon Treaty of 1846.
Last reviewed by the Emblema Mundi editorial team on 2026-06-27.