The American flag has a special place in Tyrone’s history, dating back to the 1898 Spanish-American war. In that year the United States went to the defense of the Cubans when Spain was involved in Cuba, Guam, and the Philippine Islands. The battleship USS Maine was sent to Cuba — and on February 15, 1898 it was blown up, killing 260 crew members. The cry went up, “Remember the Maine,” and war was declared on April 25, 1898. In the United States flags were raised, bands played, and men volunteered for service.
Tyrone men in the Sheridan Troop, under the leadership of Captain Charles S.W. Jones, were sent to Mt. Gretna, Pa. to join other National Guard troops to prepare for active duty. When they left home, more than 8,000 Tyroners turned out to bid them farewell. Fortunately, the Tyrone men never got to Cuba, as the war lasted only four months. It often was called a “splendid little war.”
Eager to show their patriotism and to celebrate the end of the war, the Tyroners approved a plan to have a massive flag made to be flown at the eastern entrance to Tyrone. The date for its dedication was to be Sunday August 20, 1898 just seven weeks hence. The committee met in the Good Will Council #42 Junior Order of the United American Mechanics Building and voted to hold a large parade and to have entertainment in the downtown. The help of the whole community would be needed to decorate the town with bunting and flags.
The large flag was made by the women of the different town organizations. Because of its large size, the flag was made on a large wooden frame placed on the land adjacent to the First Methodist Church on Logan Ave. and 12th St.
The flag was 60 x 100 feet, weighed 300 pounds, and cost $400. One thousand yards of fabric were purchased.
The flag was hung on a one-half-inch cable suspended 600 feet over the Little Juniata River between Bald Eagle Mountain and Brush Mountain. (Wolfgang wrote, “between the Paper Mill Hill and the Wilson Chemical Hill.”)
On the day of the celebration, a mile-long parade formed on Lincoln Ave. that included fire companies and town organizations. The parade route terminated at 10th St. and Woodland Ave. (on the other side of where the Rt. 220 bypass now is located).
Seated on the platform built for the dedication was the committee dressed in black suits, high silk hats, and white gloves. A cannon was fired to signal the release of the flag over the river, and the celebration in honor of the American flag began. The town was packed to capacity and people appreciated the whole event.
Several days later a violent electrical storm ripped the flag to pieces and scattered parts throughout the entire area. There is no record of what happened to the rest of the flag. This memory will live on to demonstrate the patriotism of the Tyrone people at that time.
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