The design was created through consultations between Rep. John Tracy Anderson and Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Nelson (Adjutant General, 1949-60). Nelson was a heraldry enthusiast, and wanted to retain the 1893 state flag until a better design could be developed. Anderson promoted it as an alternative to the blue flag with the state seal, which was proposed in 1957 by a legislative commission tasked with a flag redesign. (Colorized photo via Palette App)

Another version of the press article below states, “By a vote of 48 to 23 the stalwarts who remained in the [House] chamber voted down a final motion by Rep. Anderson that would have killed a senate-passed bill making the state flag dark blue with a circular symbol of the state seal and important historical occurrences.”