State Flowers

State Flower of Illinois

Flower: Purple Violet (Viola spp.)

The state flower movement was inspired by the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, Illinois. Many states adopted flowers to represent them at the Fair. Yet Illinois wasn’t among them!

The purple iris had been suggested as Illinois’ state flower in 1893. But it was never adopted. Mrs. James C. Fessler decided it was time that Illinois had a state flower and tree. Her effort blossomed into a statewide campaign. In 1907, the purple violet was announced the winner with about 16,000 votes. The purple violet was adopted as Illinois’ state flower on January 21, 1908.