Keystone symbol

Keystone Symbol
Design of the keystone symbol on the Pennsylvania government's website
ArmigerCommonwealth of Pennsylvania
Earliest mention
c. 1890
Shieldtwo isosceles trapezoids
UseID cards, road signs, logos of government agencies

The keystone symbol is the name commonly given to the de-facto state emblem of Pennsylvania. It is a stylized keystone (or capstone), an architectural term for a wedge-shaped stone placed at the top of an arch. The shape consists of two isosceles trapezoids, each with the smaller side facing downward, with one being smaller, more flat, and placed on top of the other. The symbol alludes to Pennsylvania's official nickname, The Keystone State. Although the symbol has not been designated as the official state emblem, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has declared it the "official Pennsylvania government logo". It is also popular for non-governmental purposes.

The symbol appears on Pennsylvania state route markers, Pennsylvania ID cards, and the logo of each cabinet-level agency of the Pennsylvania government. It is also used in various non-governmental logos, such as that of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Heinz, Little League Baseball, and the National Honor Society.

Keystone symbols are extremely common in military heraldry. It can be found on the badge of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and the now-disbanded Pennsylvania State Guard. Many parts of the Pennsylvanian and United States national army also include keystone symbols on their insignia.

The flag of Shenango Township (in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania) has a keystone symbol on it. The shield is shaped like a keystone symbol on the de-facto coat of arms of the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, which is placed on the city's official flag and seal. The seal of Keystone Heights, Florida also has a keystone symbol on it.

The Keystone flag, a popular proposal for a redesign of the state flag

In 2017 the "Keystone Flag" was designed by Tara Stark. The flag incorporates the keystone into a tricolor design using the colors on the coat of arms of Pennsylvania as an intentional callback to the symbolism of the existing flag. The design gained significant attention on social media, but is not currently adopted.

The bookplate of the University of Pennsylvania is in the shape of a keystone symbol. The shield of the coat of arms of the Keystone Central School District is shaped like a keystone symbol.

The seal and burgee of the Erie Yacht Club in Erie, Pennsylvania both have keystone symbols on them.

History

Keystone symbols displayed at a military parade in 1899 (the symbols are described as being white, on a blue field, with red letters)

In September 1899, a military parade in Philadelphia featured a choir of 3,200 school-children and teachers that were arranged to display three keystone symbols with the letters "GAR" on them (standing for Grand Army of the Republic). By the 1910s, the symbol was somewhat popular, and was used often enough that the average person could recognize it.

Keystone Marker for the city of Spring Run

Shortly after World War I, the Department of Highways (now part of PennDOT) created a system of road signs called Keystone Markers. These signs were in the shape of the keystone symbol, and were usually blue with a yellow border but could vary due to cultural reasons. These signs used to number in the thousands, but as of 2010, only around 600 exist state-wide. Today, "keystone marker" can informally refer to the modern state route markers.

See also

References

Footnotes

Citations

  1. ↑ "PA Kids Corner". pa.gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  2. ↑ Bonatesta, Lara (27 September 2023). "Why is Pennsylvania called the Keystone State?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  3. ↑ "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture – Keystone". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  4. ↑ Bodgen, Sharon, ed. (2013). The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 121. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. ISBN 978-0-8182-0357-2.
  5. ↑ "Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Logo Style Guide" (PDF). dced.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 16 April 2025. The keystone icon is the official Pennsylvania government logo and should be incorporated on all official documents, reports and internal correspondence.
  6. ↑ Fiorillo, Victor (15 May 2024). "What the Hell Is Going on With This New Mascot?". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "State Symbols". pa.gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "The Story of the Little League® Patch". Little League. 12 August 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "PENNSYLVANIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ELEMENT, JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia". tioh.army.mil. United States Army Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Pa. Guard adds new shoulder sleeve insignia". DVIDS. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  11. ↑ "The Heart of the Lehigh Valley". City of Allentown – PA – Official Site. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  12. ↑ "Allentown, Pennsylvania (U.S.)". CRW Flags. Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Keystone Heights, Florida". Keystone Heights, Florida. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Stark, Tara. "Keystone Flag". Keystone Flag. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "Guide: State Symbols". PA.Gov. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  16. ↑ "Symbolism". Keystone Flag. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  17. ↑ Deppen, Colin (24 March 2023). "PA's singing, driving, flag-waving identity crisis". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  18. ↑ ""Keystone Central School District"". Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  19. ↑ "Erie Yacht Club". Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  20. ↑ "Report of the Committee on Music". Report of the General Committee for the Thirty-third National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic and Attendant Reunions held at Philadelphia, September 4 to 9, 1899. Philadelphia: Philadelphia, Printed by Allen, Lane & Scott. 1900. p. 40.
  21. ↑ Bringhurst, Edward. "Philadelphia military parade". JSTOR (photograph). Ithaka Harbors. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  22. 1 2 Graham, John (June 2010). "A Welcoming Sign" (PDF). Pennsylvania Borough News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2014.
  23. ↑ Graham, John T (2010). "History in Cast Iron" (PDF). Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Magazine (Second quarter 2010). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "Birdsboro the only municipality to have three types of Keystone Markers" (PDF). The Reading Eagle. 9 April 2012.[permanent dead link]
  25. ↑ "Pennsylvania Driver's Manual" (PDF). dot.state.pa.us. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.