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Peconic County, New York (U.S.)

unofficial

by Blas Delgado, 26 February 2001

Description of the flag

See also:

Description of the flag

It should be noted that Peconic County is only a proposed entity at this point -- the proposal seeks to detach the five eastern towns of Suffolk County to establish Peconic. Probably not likely to occur any time soon.
Ned Smith, 26 February 2001

The flag dates from the early 1990s when sentiment against the leadership in Suffolk County was very high. It still is, and some still dream of making Peconic County the 63rd county in New York State. The symbolism of "the land of the anchor and plow" is as follows: The blue represents eastern Long Island's maritime heritage and borders. To the west are the Shinnecock Canal and Peconic Bays; to the north are The Long Island and Block Island Sounds and to the east and south is the Atlantic Ocean. The green represents the verdant and agricultural land. Peconic County is home to some twenty wineries and numerous farms. The shape of the land also represents the Twin Forks of Eastern Long Island. The white stars represent the five towns of Peconic County: Riverhead and Southold to the north; Shelter Island between the Twin Forks and on the south: Southampton and East Hampton.

At one time a seal (of sorts) or rival flag was touted as well. This consisted of white field bearing a 17th century plow in brown above a gold colored anchor surrounded by five gold stars, representing the five towns of Peconic County (Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, Southampton and East Hampton). The plow represents the agricultural base and history of the county and the anchor representing the shipbuilding and fishing heritage.
Daniel S. Padovano, 20 November 2002 / Updated July 19, 2009

I can verify from personal observation that the flag proposal actually resulted in real flags. I have seen it flying. Secondly, the flag appears on the cover of the Spring 1997 issue of The Long Island Historical Journal (vol. 9, no. 2) and the credits identify the designer of the flag as John B. Rusch.
Ned Smith, 22 July 2009