Welcome
to Nebraska, a land of distinct natural beauty. Prairies extend for miles,
pine-covered buttes dot the landscape, endless fields of wheat bend in the
breezes, and huge herds of cattle roam on vast grazing lands.
It
is easy to visualize the Old West in the land of Nebraska. This is the
territory of the Pony Express, the Overland Stage, Boot Hill, the Oregon
and Mormon Trails. This is where the mighty Missouri flows, and where the
Sioux and the Omaha have flourished. This is where historical figures,
like Crazy Horse and Chief Red Cloud, Walter Reed, and Lewis and Clark
played out the early history of the American West. The stagecoaches and
steam locomotives may be gone today, but the days of trappers and traders,
of pioneers and explorers, remain in the spirit of Nebraska.
| THE NAME:
The state of Nebraska is actually named after the Platte River from the French meaning "broad river."
The Omaha Indians called the river "ibôápka" also meaning "broad river."
In 1842, John Charles Frémont used the word Nebraska in referencing the Platte River and this was the name that
was given to the territory when it was created in 1854.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Cornhusker State: (Official) "The Cornhusker State" officially replaced "The Tree Planters State"
in 1945 in recognition of The University of Nebraska football team, the Cornhuskers. It is now more generally
associated with all University of Nebraska athletics. It is also said that this nickname refers to the corn
that supports Nebraska beef cattle and another state nickname; "The Beef State." "Cornhusker State" appeared
on Nebraska license plates from 1969 to 1975.
The Tree Planters State: Officially designated by an act of the Nebraska legislature
on April 4, 1895, "The Tree Planters State" nickname was offered as a more fitting representation of the state
than others that were in use at the time. This name refers to the millions of trees planted by early Nebraska settlers
as windbreaks, orchards and fuel woodlots. Arbor Day was founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska
City and Nebraska's U.S. Senator Phineas W. Hitchcock introduced the Timber Culture Act in 1873. "The Tree
Planters State" was officially replaced by "The Cornhusker State" in 1945.
The Beef State: This nickname is in reference to one of Nebraska's main industries; beef. With about
2 million head of beef cows, it's easy to understand why Nebraska is sometimes referred to as "The Beef State."
"The Beef State" was carried on Nebraska license plates from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.
The Antelope State: This nickname was given to Nebraska, around 1870, to honor the abundant antelope
that graced the state's prairies.
The Bug-eating State: An interesting name to say the least. It's said that this reference is to the
abundance of bull bats that gobble up insects in the state. These bats are called "bug-eaters" by some Nebraskans.
The Blackwater State: Nebraska was sometimes called "The Blackwater State" because of the rich black
Nebraska soil that darkened the streams.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Nebraska or who come from Nebraska are called Nebraskans. |
THE QUARTER:
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| U.S. Mint Image
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The second commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2006 honors Nebraska, and is the 37th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Nebraska, nicknamed the "Cornhusker State," was admitted into the Union on March 1, 1867, becoming our Nation's 37th state. Nebraska's quarter depicts an ox-drawn covered wagon carrying pioneers in the foreground and Chimney Rock, the natural wonder that rises from the valley of North Platte River, measuring 445 feet from base to tip. The sun is in full view behind the wagon. The coin also bears the inscriptions "Nebraska," "Chimney Rock" and "1867."
Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site on August 9, 1956, and is maintained and operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Practically anywhere travelers go in Nebraska they will encounter reminders of America's westward expansion. The state is crisscrossed by the Oregon and Mormon Trails, the Pony Express, the Lewis and Clark Trail, the Texas-Ogallala Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail.
The Nebraska State Quarter Design Committee accepted nearly 6,500 quarter design ideas from citizens. Four of these were forwarded to the United States Mint and were used as the basis for narrative designs that were created by United States Mint sculptor-engravers and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announced his recommendation of "Chimney Rock" on June 1, 2005. The Department of the Treasury approved the design on July 20, 2005.
The three other design concepts considered during the final selection process were "The Capitol," featuring a rendition of the architecturally striking State Capitol in Lincoln; "The Sower," depicting the figure that stands atop the Nebraska Capitol, representing Nebraska's standing as an agricultural leader; and "Chief Standing Bear," paying tribute to the Ponca Indian Chief.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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