North Tonawanda Unveils New City Flag, Symbolizing 'Swift Running Water' and Progressive Spirit

NORTH TONAWANDA, NY – July 8, 2025 – North Tonawanda today proudly unfurled its redesigned official city flag, marking a significant milestone in the city's ongoing renaissance and reflecting its dynamic future. The new banner, selected after a year-long community-wide process, aims to encapsulate the city’s vibrant identity, honoring its storied past while looking boldly toward its future.

The new flag replaces a design dating back to 1967. That original flag, created by high school junior Charles Houseman, was primarily designed for a local marching band and featured canal tools against a backdrop of green, white, and yellow – the city’s colors at the time.

In early 2024, North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec established a committee to re-evaluate the city’s emblem. Committee members felt the nearly six-decade-old flag no longer accurately represented a North Tonawanda that has undergone considerable revitalization. The goal was to find a design that better reflected the city’s current colors, honored its rich heritage, and embraced its bright future.

The journey to the new flag began in June 2024 with a public call for artists, offering a $1,000 prize for the winning design. The initiative garnered enthusiastic participation, with twenty local artists submitting a total of 32 unique concepts.

After an initial review by the committee to ensure all criteria were met, the submissions were narrowed down to eight finalists. These designs were then put to a city-wide public vote, attracting an overwhelming response of over 2,400 votes. The final selection was made through a combined vote by the committee and the public, ultimately choosing the design deemed to best bridge the city's heritage and future aspirations.

Speaking at today's unveiling ceremony, Mayor Austin Tylec expressed his excitement about the collaborative effort. "This was such an exciting and fun project which engaged people from all over our great City," Mayor Tylec stated. "Actually, the name 'Tonawanda' originates from the Seneca language and means 'Swift Running Water,' which is such a fitting metaphor for our city’s dynamic and forward-moving spirit."

The Mayor elaborated on the flag's significance, adding, "The new city flag will encapsulate this ethos, representing the pride and culture of North Tonawanda while symbolizing our commitment to the future. It will be a symbol of our city’s unwavering resilience and continuous progress. It is a chance for us to honor our past while looking forward to our bright future."

The artist behind the winning design was also present at the ceremony, providing insights into their creative concept and the symbolism embedded within the new flag.

The newly chosen flag will soon be prominently displayed across North Tonawanda, including at Gateway Harbor Park, recognized as the Western Gateway to the Erie Canal. Gateway Harbor Park, a central feature of Downtown North Tonawanda, has established itself as a premier destination for boating and recreation in Western New York. The new flag is expected to enhance the aesthetic and cultural identity of these significant areas, celebrating North Tonawanda’s rich heritage and its ongoing growth.