Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
Located in southwestern North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made up of 3 separate sections: the South Unit, the North Unit and Elkhorn Ranch. Unlike other parks, these sections are not connected, but each one provides visitors scenic trails, extraordinary landscape and waterways to explore. The park has over 70,000 acres with the South Unit containing more than 46,000 acres, the North Unit over 24,000 and the Elkhorn Ranch has over 214 acres.
In 1883, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt went to hunt buffalo in the Badlands of North Dakota, and after 15 days ended up buying a ranch there. He asked his partners to build a cabin on it – the Maltese Cross cabin, which still exists today. When he returned to North Dakota in 1884 he bought a second ranch, Elkhorn, which would became his “home” ranch. Although he had sold his land and cattle by the 1898, he continued to make stops in Medora, North Dakota near his former ranch for the rest of his life. In 1947, the Elkhorn Ranch and lands in the South Unit became Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. The North Unit was added a year later, and in 1978, President Carter signed a bill creating Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Harpers Ferry quarter design
In August of 2015, the U.S. Mint revealed the final design for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarter. As the third release for 2016, this beautiful quarter features the building once known as Harpers Ferry Amory guard and firehouse, the site of John Brown’s last stand.
Early in the morning on October 17, 1859, Brown and 21 other men entered Harpers Ferry, capturing weapons and moved to the federal armory. He expected once he had weapons, hundreds of slaves would join him, but that never happened. Soon the local militia forced Brown and his raiders to retreat to the armory’s firehouse. Later that day, Robert E. Lee, commanding a group of Marines, arrived to fight against Brown. By October 18th, most of Brown’s men had been killed, and the few remaining surrendered. Brown stood trial and was hung on December 2, 1859. Today, the building where the raiders took refuge is known as John Brown’s Fort.
Candidate designs for the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarter
In September 2014, the Commission of Fine Arts met to review eight designs for the reverse of the 2016 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarter. All designs varied: Two showed a hand holding a rifle with waves in the foreground, two showed John Brown’s Fort, three showed Jefferson Rock and the last, a birds-eye view of the iron bridge crossing the Potomac.
After the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) reviews designs, the U.S. Mint recommends the favorites to the Secretary of the Treasury who then makes the final selection.
The Harpers Ferry coin will honor this more than 3,700-acre national park, which offers numerous day hikes, kayaking and an opportunity to explore the historic Lower Town.
Harpers Ferry Historical National Park
Located at the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers that encircle the town is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The park’s main attraction is John Brown’s Fort. The building, found in Arsenal Square of the historic Lower Town, was once an armory guard and firehouse. This was where John Brown, along with his followers, made his last stand. Originally, the founders saw the sleepy town of Harpers Ferry as a jumping off point for lands further west – that was, until John Brown’s standoff put it on the map.
Now the 33rd coin in the National Park quarter series, and the 3rd issue of 2016 honors this interesting park. The old section of town features cobblestone streets and a glimpse of 19th century life with many old buildings serving as museums.
Learn more about Harpers Ferry Historical National Park.
The new Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarter, 32nd issue of the series and the second design for 2016, is soon to be in circulation. On April 11, 2016, the official launch ceremony for the new Cumberland Gap quarter will take place in the park’s Visitor Center, which is located in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
After the ceremony, a coin exchange will be held where attendees can get $10 rolls of the new quarters at face value. This issue features a frontiersman looking to the west, with the inscription first doorway to the west. Add the new Cumberland Gap quarters to your collection now.
