Dixie Cornell Gebhardt - Knoxville, Iowa
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 19.092 W 093° 05.807
15T E 491899 N 4574085
Plaque giving history of woman who designed the Iowa state flag located on the grounds of the Marion County Courthouse in Knoxville, Iowa.
Waymark Code: WM7WCM
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 12/12/2009
Views: 8
Text of plaque:'
Dixie Cornell Gebhardt
1866 - 1955
Was named for her southern heritage. Her patriotic contributions made Knoxville the "Birthplace of the Iowa Flag." Mrs. Gebhardt, who was DAR State Regent in 1917, appointed a flag committee who, after soliciting more then 81 chapters' and state officers' anonymous suggestions, selected Dixie's typically neat handiwork to become Iowa's flag. Governor Harding approved her design that year and once referred to Dixie as Iowa's Betsy Ross. In 1921 Mrs. Gebhardt was issued a copyright for her design which she immediately transferred to the State of Iowa. Other interests of Mrs. Gebhardt were the First Methodist Church, Red Cross, P.E.O., Chapter M, Mary Marion Chapter DAR and the Democratic Party. Dixie lived most of her life in Knoxville and now rests in Graceland Cemetery.
The back of the monument has a plaque showing Dixie's design and is further inscribed:
Iowa became the 29th state in 1946. Nearly 75 years later in 1921, Iowa was the 46th state to officially adopt a state flag. The original 1917 drawing was designed to identify Iowa military regiments during World War I. Blue, white and red which represent loyalty, purity, and courage were inspired by the American flag and the flag of France, who claimed the land twice until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. By incorporating the national bird carrying the state's motto Gebhardt conveys Iowa is an integral part of the United States.