Last modified: 2005-12-17 by rick wyatt
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Use of seals in Arkansas
In Arkansas section 14-54-101 of the Arkansas Code provides that "Cities or incorporated towns organized under the provisions of this subtitle are declared to be bodies politic and corporate, under the name and style of "The city of . . . . . . " or "The incorporated town of . . . . . . . . ," as the case may be, capable to .... have a common seal and change and alter it at pleasure."
Even those cities that don't exercise this right are required to have a seal for the city clerk, although not one with pictorial devices on it: "Each city council shall cause to be provided for its clerk's office a seal, in the center
of which shall be the name of the city and around the margin the words 'city clerk.'" (Section 14-43-406)
Counties may presumably have seals, since they, like cities and incorporated towns, are defined by section 14-14-501 as bodies "politic and corporate" with "corporate and governmental powers, a corporate name, and perpetual succession subject to limitations imposed by the General Assembly." In addition, they "possess legislative powers not denied by the Arkansas Constitution or by law," which would presumably include the right to adopt a seal, flag, and other symbols.
This suggests that there are probably a number of municipal and county seals in existence. Whether any of them are flag-relevant is, of course, another question.
Joe McMillan, 25 May 2004
Arkadelphia does not have a city flag. It uses a logo, designed by Dr. Bill Downs, about 15 years ago. The logo is meant to represent our scenic beauty between the foothills of the Ozark mountains, our forest industry, our lake (DeGray
Lake) with its recreational opportunities, and our two universities (Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist) are represented by the Greek temple.
Blain Smith, Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce, 20 May 2004
The website at http://www.cityofcamden.net shows a seal consisting of a yellow ring, with CITY OF CAMDEN, ARKANSAS and INCORPORATED 1844. The design in the center shows a sun rise over a river with factories, a rural scene, and some indistinguishable objects in the rear.
Ron Lahav, 22 May 2004
The website at http://www.cityofconway.org shows standard circular seal consisting of two rings. The outer ring is blue, with the words 'CITY OF CONWAY' in golden capitals at the top. To either side of this outer ring are what appear to be either two small gold dots. At the bottom of the outer ring is the word
'ARKANSAS'. also in gold capitals. The center of the seal itself is likewise gold, with the head of a stylized Greek column outlined in blue. The pillar itself is also outlined in blue, and is cut off so as to form a bendwise shape. At the very top of the center section, above the column, are the words 'CITY OF COLLEGES' in small blue capitals, while beneath the column is the date 'OCTOBER 6, 1875' written in a similar manner.
Ron Lahav, 22 May 2004
A response from the City Clerk's office confirmed that Hope does not have a municipal flag. It does have a seal, which exists only as a black and white line drawing and can be seen here. The seal design is a copy of the historically renovated Union Pacific Railroad Depot located in Hope.
Ron Lahav, 7 June 2004
The website at www.cityofsearcy.org shows an image of the city seal. Inside a ring bearing the words SEARCY ARKANSAS and PRIDE - PROGRESS - POTENTIAL is an image in red and black of a clock tower against a blue and white sky.
Ron Lahav, 8 June 2004
The webpage at ci.west-memphis.ar.us shows a seal consisting of shield inside a circle and quartered, with images consisting of a cotton boll, a factory complex, a map of Arkansas, and the bridge over the Mississippi River linking West Memphis with Memphis, Tennessee, with three stars over the shield. The seal is only presented as a B&W line drawing. At www.ci.west-memphis.ar.us/departments/CityHall.htm is a color photograph of the City Hall building with three flags flying from staffs in front. On the right, in the place of honor, is the S&S, while on the left is the Arkansas state flag. However, in the center between these two flags there is something which looks suspiciously like a city flag.
Ron Lahav, 13 June 2004