The Alaska Flag Story
A 14-year-old boy, a poem and a song.
In 1926, Alaska Territorial Governor George Parks called for the design of an Alaska flag.
The American Legion put together a contest for Alaska youth in the 7th through 12th grades.
A 14-year-old named John Ben “Benny” Benson Jr. entered the contest.
In the picture above is Benny Benson
Benny was born in Chignik, a fishing village on the Alaska Peninsula. When he was only 3 years old, his mother died of pneumonia. Shortly after that, the family’s home was destroyed by a fire.
Benny’s father was unable to care for his children, so Benny was sent to the Jesse Lee Home orphanage in Unalaska.
In 1925, the Jesse Lee Home was relocated to Seward, Alaska, located on the Kenai Peninsula.
Benny Entered the Alaska Flag Design Contest
In 1927, Benny sat down at his school desk and drew his idea for the Alaska flag. His design included the Big Dipper constellation and the North Star on a blue background.
Benny wrote the following to accompany his design:
“The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is the Great Bear - symbolizing strength.”
Judging
There were over 700 entries, with 142 designs selected by local competitions to be sent to Juneau for final judging by a 7-member panel.
All 7 judges chose Benny Benson’s Alaska flag design as the winner.
“I Darned Near Fell Out of my Chair”
Benny recalled how he first learned that he had won the contest:
“One day our teacher’s husband came in the room and he brought a telegram, she just looked at it and her mouth dropped open. She was speechless… And i darned near fell out of my seat I guess.”
What Benny Had Won
Benny won a gold watch with his design on the back. In 1963, his watch was donated to the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.
He was also flown to Washington, D.C., to present the new Alaska flag to President Calvin Coolidge.
In addition, Benny was awarded $1,000, which he later used to attend a Diesel engine repair school.
Benny’s original flag, made of blue silk, was first flown on July 9, 1927, in Seward, Alaska.
Yes, You Can Share This Edition
And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name an Alaska Mountain after you… Well, it could happen.
Note:
The Alaska flag is the only one of the 50 state flags designed by a Native American.
The Jesse Lee Home in Seward is now known as the “Birthplace of Alaska’s Flag.”
Benny passed away at the age of 58. You can visit the Benny Benson Memorial at mile 1.4 on the Seward Highway.
Benny is Remembered with Honors
In 2025, Daren Herman, the grandson of Benny Benson, accepted an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Alaska Pacific University, in memory of his grandfather’s achievment.
BONUS
A Poem and a Song
Marie Drake was so taken by Benny’s flag design and the words he wrote that she composed the following poem:
“Eight stars of gold on a field of blue,
Alaska's flag, may it mean to you,
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes and the flowers nearby,
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams,
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear," the "Dipper," and shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
O'er land and sea a beacon bright,
Alaska's flag to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.”
In 1935, her poem was published in the October issue of the Department of Education’s School Bulletin to help teach children about the territory’s flag.
Three years later, in 1938, Elinor Dusenbury composed the music that accompanies the poem by Marie Drake.
In the photo, Elinor Dusenbury is on the left, with Marie Drake on the right.
The two ladies met for the first time in the summer of 1938 in the Baranof Hotel in Juneau. During their meeting, Dusenbury played her composition for Drake.
The Alaska Flag Song
In 1955, the Territorial Legislature officially adopted the poem and musical composition written by Marie Drake and Elinor Dusenbury. It became the Official Alaska State song in 1959 when Alaska became the 49th State.
Click below to hear the song and see the lyrics:
Connect with Mike and Mary
Mary, just like you, every time I hear the Alaska Flag song, it brings tears of joy to my heart and my eyes. What a great Alaska Story.
What are your memories of the Alaska Flag and the song?
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Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Alaska Stories
At the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962, the Alaska exhibit was well attended. The announcer was describing the Alaska flag and the Alaska song that went along with it. Then asked if anyone knew the Alaska song? My two very young daughters, ten and eleven, sang it alone for the entire crowd. They received loud applause.
Benny was a great friend of mine and many others in Kodiak. He was an outstanding Elk of the Kodiak Lodge 1772. I have an Alaska flag signed by Benny.