American flags replace massive Confederate flags along I-40 in Burke County

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Drivers along Interstate 40 in Burke County may have noticed a change of flags flying along the highway.

For two years, flagpoles on either end of Burke County have flown massive Confederate flags. Now, those flags have been replaced by American flags and Christian flags, according to our news partner the Hickory Daily Record.

It is unclear if the switch is permanent or temporary. When Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty contacted the Sons of Confederate Veterans, they declined to comment on the change.

The change comes just two months after the group raised a 20-by-30-foot Confederate flag on an 80-foot pole. It replaced a smaller version and was one of several that went up in the area in protest as Confederate memorials and statues came down.

County leaders couldn’t remove the flags because they were on private property and there aren’t any ordinances against it.

The mayor of Hildebran, Wendell Hildebrand, spoke to our news partners the Hickory Record, and he said while he doesn’t know what prompted the change, he is happy about it.

“I’m glad they did,” Hildebrand said. “I think it includes everybody.”

Hildebrand said he had received calls about the Confederate flag from both supporters and opponents.

“I’ve had people call saying they wouldn’t do business in town because of that flag,” Hildebrand said. “Now, I’ve also had people call in favor of it. So I have to give credit to both sides there.”

Large Confederate flag raised in highly visible area in Burke County Large Confederate flag raised in highly visible area in Burke County

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