Keystone symbol

Keystone Symbol
Keystone Symbol
	Design of the keystone symbol on the Pennsylvania government's website
Armiger	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Earliest mention	c. 1890
Shield	two isosceles trapezoids
Use	ID cards, road signs, logos of government agencies

The keystone symbol is the name commonly given to the de-facto state emblem of Pennsylvania.^[2] It is a stylized keystone (or capstone), an architectural term for a wedge-shaped stone placed at the top of an arch.^[3] 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.^[4] 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".^[5] It is also popular for non-governmental purposes.^[6]

The symbol appears on Pennsylvania state route markers, Pennsylvania ID cards, and the logo of each cabinet-level agency of the Pennsylvania government.^[7] 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.^[8]

Use as a bullet point on modern Pennsylvanian license plates
Use on state quarter
Use on official state route markers

Keystone symbols are extremely common in military heraldry. It can be found on the badge of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard,^[9]^[10] 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.^[11]^[12] The seal of Keystone Heights, Florida also has a keystone symbol on it.^[13]

In 2017 the "Keystone Flag" was designed by Tara Stark, a Pennsylvania resident.^[14] The flag incorporates the keystone into a tricolor design using the colors on the coat of arms of Pennsylvania^[15] as an intentional callback to the symbolism of the existing flag.^[16] The design gained significant attention on social media, but is not currently adopted.^[17]

The bookplate of the University of Pennsylvania is in the shape of a keystone symbol.^[a] The shield of the coat of arms of the Keystone Central School District is shaped like a keystone symbol.^[18]

The seal and burgee of the Erie Yacht Club in Erie, Pennsylvania both have keystone symbols on them.^[19]

History

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).^[20]^[21] By the 1910s, the symbol was somewhat popular, and was used often enough that the average person could recognize it.

Heinz bottle c. 1893
1911 Pennsylvanian license plate
1915 Women's suffrage clothing pin featuring a keystone symbol

Shortly after World War I, the Department of Highways (now part of PennDOT) created a system of road signs called keystone markers.^[22]^[23] 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.^[24] These signs used to number in the thousands, but as of 2010, only around 600 exist state-wide.^[22] Today, "keystone marker" can informally refer to the modern state route markers.^[25]

References

Footnotes

^ See the file File:University of Pennsylvania bookplate.png

Citations

^ "PA Kids Corner". pa.gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
^ Bonatesta, Lara (2023-09-27). "Why is Pennsylvania called the Keystone State?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
^ "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture – Keystone". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
^ Bodgen, Sharon, ed. (2013). The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 121. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. ISBN 978-0-8182-0357-2.
^ "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 2025-04-16. The keystone icon is the official Pennsylvania government logo and should be incorporated on all official documents, reports and internal correspondence.
^ Fiorillo, Victor (2024-05-15). "What the Hell Is Going on With This New Mascot?". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
^ "State Symbols". pa.gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
^ "The Story of the Little League® Patch". Little League. 2018-08-12. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
^ "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 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
^ "Pa. Guard adds new shoulder sleeve insignia". DVIDS. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
^ "The Heart of the Lehigh Valley". City of Allentown – PA – Official Site. Archived from the original on 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
^ "Allentown, Pennsylvania (U.S.)". CRW Flags. Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
^ "Keystone Heights, Florida". Keystone Heights, Florida. Archived from the original on 2024-07-31. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
^ Stark, Tara. "Keystone Flag". Keystone Flag. Archived from the original on 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
^ "Guide: State Symbols". PA.Gov. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
^ "Symbolism". Keystone Flag. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
^ Deppen, Colin (24 March 2023). "PA's singing, driving, flag-waving identity crisis". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
^ ""Keystone Central School District"". Archived from the original on 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
^ "Erie Yacht Club". Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
^ "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.
^ Bringhurst, Edward. "Philadelphia military parade". JSTOR (photograph). Ithaka Harbors. Archived from the original on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
^ ^a ^b Graham, John (June 2010). "A Welcoming Sign" (PDF). Pennsylvania Borough News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-26.
^ Graham, John T (2010). "History in Cast Iron" (PDF). Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Magazine (Second Quarter 2010). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-26.
^ "Birdsboro the only municipality to have three types of Keystone Markers" (PDF). The Reading Eagle. April 9, 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Pennsylvania Driver's Manual" (PDF). dot.state.pa.us. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-28.