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State Capital, Madison
Photograph by Karry L. Ritter |
In
the north woods of Wisconsin, clear, clean lakes abound. Fishing is fine, and wildlife is plentiful. Outdoor
recreation and adventure is a main draw for out-of-state visitors. 15,000 lakes are enjoyed by swimmers,
fishermen and fisherwomen and boaters. The deep, cool woods provide wonderful hiking and horseback riding trails.
Below the wooded north country lies
America's dairy land, where cows are king (make that queen). Wisconsin's dairy farms lead the United States in the
production of milk, cheese, and butter, providing 40% of the nation's cheese and 20% of its butter. Picturesque
farms, sun-dappled fields, contented cows...
Wisconsin is also a leader in the manufacture of machinery and produces more paper than any other state.
| THE NAME:
This state was named after the Wisconsin River. Wisconsin means "grassy place" in the Chippewa language.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Badger State: This nickname originally referred to the lead miners, of the 1830s, who worked at
the Galena lead mines in Illinois. These mines were in northwestern Illinois close to the borders of
Wisconsin and Iowa. The Wisconsin miners lived, not in houses, but in temporary caves cut into the hillsides.
These caves were described as badger dens and, the miners who lived in them, as badgers. This derisive
nickname was brought back to Wisconsin by these miners. Eventually, the nickname was applied to all of the people
of Wisconsin and, finally, to the state itself. The badger was adopted as Wisconsin's state animal in
1957.
The Dairy State: A more fitting nickname for Wisconsin, "The Dairy State" is in direct reference to the
large production of dairy products, particularly cheese and butter, in the state.
America's Dairyland: Another reflection of Wisconsin's dairy production and a phrase that appears on
Wisconsin state license plates.
The Cheese State: Wisconsin has also been referred to as "The Cheese State" because of its large
cheese production.
The Copper State: This nickname is in reference to the Copper mines in the northern part of the state.
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 Wisconsin or who come from Wisconsin are called Wisconsinites. |
THE QUARTER:
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| U.S. Mint image |
The Wisconsin quarter is the fifth of 2004, and the 30th in the 50 State Quarters® Program. On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state to be admitted into the Union. The Wisconsin design depicts an agricultural theme featuring a cow, a round of cheese and an ear of corn. The design also bears an inscription of the State motto, "Forward."
Wisconsin adopted the State motto, "Forward," in 1851, reflecting Wisconsin's continuous drive to be a national leader. Wisconsin is considered "America's Dairy Land" with production of over 15 percent of the Nation's milk. Wisconsin also produces over 350 different varieties, types and styles of award-winning cheeses – more than any other state. There are approximately 17,000 dairy farms, with just over one million cows that produce an average of 17,306 gallons of milk each, per year.
Wisconsin is also a major corn-growing state. In 2002, Wisconsin led the Nation in corn silage production and, with 391.5 million bushels produced, it ranked fifth in the production of corn for grain (shelled corn). State corn production contributed $882.4 million to the Wisconsin economy in 2003. Wisconsin is also a leading supplier of mint.
In December 2001, Governor Scott McCallum appointed 23 people to the Wisconsin Commemorative Quarter Council to review and recommend candidate design themes. The state received over 9,600 suggestions, and the Council narrowed the concepts to six. After a statewide vote, Governor McCallum submitted three design concepts to the United States Mint - "Scenic Wisconsin, " "Agriculture/Dairy/Barns " and "Early Exploration and Cultural Interaction. " In 2003, Governor Jim Doyle coordinated a statewide vote to select the final design, in which the "Agriculture/Dairy/Barns " design was the popular choice. This design was approved by the Secretary of the Treasury on October 9, 2003.
Source: The United States Mint, http://www.usmint.gov, October 28, 2004.
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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