Destination Dowagiac 2026

A FLAG THAT TELLS A STORY DOWAGIAC’S OFFICIAL CITY FLAG

HOW COMMUNITY PRIDE, PUBLIC INPUT, AND LOCAL HISTORY CAME TOGETHER IN A POWERFUL CIVIC SYMBOL On June 14, 2022, the City of Dowagiac officially unveiled its first municipal flag, giving the community a bold new symbol of identity, history, and pride. The unveiling took place at the historic Dowagiac The idea for an official city flag began with a simple but powerful observation: cities with strong, recognizable flags often foster deeper civic pride and unity. Inspired by iconic municipal flags across the country, Dowagiac resident Eileen Crouse proposed the idea locally, sharing it with then City Council Member Patrick Bakeman. In early 2022, Dowagiac launched a public design contest, inviting submissions that reflected the city’s history, culture, landscape, and people. More than 20 designs were submitted by artists and residents. A committee narrowed the field to six finalists, and the community was then invited to weigh in through a public survey. More than 350 residents participated, offering feedback and helping guide the final design. Train Depot on Flag Day. HOW THE FLAG CAME TO BE

The completed flag was finalized by local artist Paige Behnke, who thoughtfully blended favored elements from the finalist designs with public input. The final artwork was donated to the city by Sean Kaniuga of SK Design. The entire project was accomplished at no cost to the city.

The City Council unanimously approved the design, officially adopting it as the Flag of the City of Dowagiac. THE MEANING BEHIND THE DESIGN Every element of Dowagiac’s flag was chosen with intention, drawing directly from the city’s natural features, history, and shared identity. THE DOGWOOD FLOWER At the center of the flag is a white dogwood flower, a

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