Flag Wars (size matters)

Fifty years ago the USA Bicentennial celebration prompted competition among several Utah businesses to have the biggest American flag or the tallest flagpole.

Plaque and flag at Free Spirit Plaza, 2280 S State Street SLC

It began in Feb 1976 when Hayes Brothers car dealership announced the grand opening of the Free Spirit Plaza at 2280 South State Street.

Hayes Brothers claimed "the tallest flagpole in the State of Utah" at 200 feet, although later sources reported shorter measurements. State, county, and city officials joined the Utah National Guard and the Utah Bicentennial Committee for the Flag Day dedication.

Hays Brothers advertisement
Deseret News Feb 17 1976 p36

 
The flagpole and commemorative plaque still stand at Free Spirit Plaza, now home to Tesla.

Over the next few decades, shopping centers, businesses, and civic organizations across Utah promoted their own largest flags or tallest flagpoles. Some of these include Valley Fair Mall, Layton Hills Mall, Van Winkle, Reams in Provo, the State Capitol Building, among others.

Lincoln Plaza at 145 E 1300 South SLC

By 1990, Lincoln Plaza at 145 E 1300 S (demolished Sept 2026) entered the competition with a 38×20-foot flag on a 120-foot pole. The SL Tribune noted it was Salt Lake County's third oversized flag, comparing it directly with Hayes Brothers and the Van Winkle Expressway display.

Utah's tradition of giant flags stretched back even earlier. In 1896, an enormous American flag was hung from the ceiling in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. In 1897 this flag was moved and hung on the south side of the SLC LDS Temple for the 50th anniversary celebration of July 24.

The measurements of this flag vary widely depending on the source. Newspaper articles from 1896 describe the flag as 150×75 or 125×75. Later sources in 1897 and 1901 indicate larger and smaller measurements.

Statehood Celebration 1896, from USHS
Newspaper clip from Woman's Exponent Jan 1 1896 p4

Commemoration of Utah statehood, 1896, SLC LDS Temple
From USHS

Today, enormous ceremonial flags such as Big Betsy in Grove Canyon continue that tradition.

Other claims through the years:

• 1977: Reams Market at 1350 N 200 W in Provo claimed the tallest flagpole in the state at 160 ft.
• 1978: Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City : largest flag in the world (no dimensions given)
• 1980: Layton Hills Mall in Layton: largest flag in the state (no dimensions given)
• 1988: Spring Run, along VanWinkle Expressway in Murray: largest flag in the state at 60x30 ft with the second tallest pole at 110 ft.
• 1988 Utah Summer Games in Cedar City: Largest flag in the state, 150x75
• 1992: Franklin Quest Corp in West Valley City: tallest flagpole in the state at 120 ft with 50x30 size flag.
• 1993: Utah Summer Games in Cedar City: Largest flag in the state 108x65 ft
• 1998: Reams Market in Provo, largest flag in the state along with the largest pair of pants (no dimensions given)
• 2001: Utah State Capitol Building in SLC: One of the world’s largest (no dimensions given)
• 2001: Stadium of Fire event at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo: largest flag in the state (no dimensions given)
• 2002: Freedom Festival in Provo Utah: : largest flag in the state (no dimensions given)

Same info as above, just as a table.

Of Note: The Hayes Brothers also advertised a newly constructed natural artesian well drinking fountain for public use. I did not see it during my visit, but perhaps someone knows what happed to it.