Mt. Nebo or Flag Mountain

    The history of the "Flag" on Mt. Nebo began in the year 1934. It was that summer when the Frank Holloran family moved into their summer home next door to the George Broome family.      From the large summer porches of Broome's "Grand View" and Holloran's "Lone Pine" could be seen the peak of Mt. Nebo on the opposite side of Middle Creek Canyon. This peak was the challenge of three sons - Tom Broome (age 6), Fred Holloran (age 8), and Joe Holloran (age 10). To prove their scaling accomplishment, they took with them a stick to which had been nailed a sheet rag that they could wave to their families below and then jam into the crevice between the rocks at the peak to serve as a flag.      With the exception of one or two years, a new American Flag furnished by the Hollorans has flown atop Mt. Nebo, with this year's installation (approximately the 40th year) made by Pat and Stacy Holloran, the two youngest grandchildren. 

     Several Mt. Nebo climbs had to be made each summer as the winds would blow the flag down or other children in the valley would attempt to "Capture the flag" made of white sheet, Maggie's drawers, or whatever else was available.      About 1938, the boys began to use the genuine "Stars and Stripes" that was furnished by their parents. The game of "Capture the Flag" automatically stopped as the other kids in the Valley showed their respect for the American Flag.    As each boy was called into Military Service, the remaining two, then one, took care of the flag. When they were gone, the school children of Beulah replaced the flag one year and the Boy Scouts of Beulah another year.

  In 1946 after World War II, Tom Broome, Lila Ruth and Pauline Bland, and Fred and Joe Holloran carried cement up the mountain in 10 pound lard pails to cement-in an iron flag pole (actually an old plumbing turnkey that had been obtained from Tom Clarke, owner of the Village Blacksmith Shop). The initials of the concrete bearers can still be plainly seen in the concrete atop the mountain.      This flag pole sufficed until bent and broken in 1960, when Holloran grandchildren, Tom and Dick Holloran, then carried a new pole and cement to the top for a replacement.      With our 100th year celebration approaching, it is interesting to note that for several years the Broomes, Hollorans and Blands pooled their 4th of July fireworks and fired them from the peak. Their shows were completed with a sparkler parade down the trail. The dry years and concern of a forest fire brought the practice to a halt.      Visitors to the peak experience a breathtaking panoramic view of the lush green Beulah Valley below. From it's lofty, yet easily accessible height, one can see mountain homes up North Creek, Spring Creek, and South Pine Drive.    It was probably the Valley view that inspired the early settlers to give the mountain its name after the true story of "Mt. Nebo in the Land of Moab" as recorded in Deut. 32:48-52 of the Holy Bible. Mt. Nebo truly overlooks a beautiful valley of promise, opportunity and love.      

You haven't seen Beulah until you've visited the "Flag on Mt. Nebo". The trail starts right at the Middle Creek bridge near the "Mikado".      And as in the beginning, the Frank Hollorans still watch the flag from their front porch and the boys now with their families in their own summer homes.    (Orginally printed in the Beulah News Magazine on June 20, 1976, this article was copied and donated by Joe and Dorothy Holloran. Their grandchildren now enjoy hiking up the mountain when they come to visit and the Cernoia family who presently live in the Mikado help put up the flag now.)    During a recent hike on April 20th, 1996, to the top of Mt. Nebo, affectionately called Flag Mountain, members of the Beulah Historical Society and local residents replaced the weather shredded flag with one donated by Kay Keating. Prior to the hike a reading of a certification stated that "the accompanying flag was flown over the United States Capitol on November 22, 1991, at the request of the Honorable Matthew G. Martinez, Member of Congress. This flag was flown for Captain Katherine Keating." The day of the hike was cool with an overcast sky but the attitudes of the hikers were jovial and friendly. While on top hikers took time to observe the beginning of the spring greening and a small fire on Pine Drive. Those in attendance were: John, Angela, Joe & Jonelle Murgel, Patti Genack, Peter Schuyler, Laura Amman, Joe & Fred Holloran, Amy Arnold, Linda Amman Gradisar, Marshall Downey, George Dwight, Claudia & Jimmy Fountain and Orville Myers.   

The above story appeared in the Beulah Valley Word, May, 1996. 

Mt. Nebo known locally as Flag Mountain for Heartwarming Reason

by Laura Amman

https://thebeulahnewspaper.com/july-2019-1