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Belmont County, Ohio (U.S.)

image located at The Flag Lady's Flag Store by Phil Nelson, 9 November 2003

Description of the flag
Variant flag
Seal

- indicates flag is known.
- indicates it is reported that there is no known flag.

Municipal flags in Belmont County:

Martins Ferry

See also:

Description of the flag

A light blue swallowtail with the county seal on it.
Phil Nelson, 9 November 2003

The county seal appears on a light blue burgee, which is considered to be the first Ohio county flag that is the same shape as the Ohio flag. The Belmont County seal was designed late one night in 1988 by Michael Massa, a law student working for the State of Ohio. Actually, three of his designs were displayed in Belmont County, and citizens of all ages voted for the best one. The competition was covered in the national news by Paul Harvey. The winning design shows the sun rising over the Belmont County Courthouse cupola. From the central sun emanate 9 rays toward the perimeter of the seal, ending at nine white stars, which Massa says "are emblematic of Belmont County's role as the 9th parcel to be initially incorporated into the Ohio Territory, via the 'Northwest Ordinance'." Belmont County was established in 1801. The name combines the French words "belle monte" which mean "beautiful mountain." The rolling hills and the Ohio River can be seen in the background of the seal. The official county seal includes a Latin motto which does not appear on the flag. "Meliorem Lapsa Locavit" means "He has planted better than the fallen," or "Having fallen, a better was planted," and was also used on the seal of the Northwest Territory.
Source: www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/education/ohio_county_flags.cfm
Located by Valentin Poposki, 26 September 2007

Variant flag

image located by Valentin Poposki, 29 November 2025

After 187 years without an official seal, in 1988, a seal and flag were established. Michael Massa, a Bellaire native, designed 3 different seals that were voted on by Belmont County residents. The winning design, still in use today, was approved by motion of the Belmont County Commissioners on November 30, 1988. The Ohio Senate formally recognized Massa for his design of the Belmont County flag in 1989, with a resolution during the 118th Ohio General Assembly.
https://www.visitbelmontcounty.com/belmont-county-celebrates-its-222nd-birthday/
Valentin Poposki, 29 November 2025

Seal

image located by Paul Bassinson, 23 February 2019

Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/
Paul Bassinson, 23 February 2019

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