2011 Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter
The 2011 Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter will represent the final release of 2011 for the new quarter series created to feature images and scenes from National Parks and National Sites of America. It will be the tenth release of the series overall.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area was selected as the site to be depicted for the state of Oklahoma. Under the authorizing legislation, one federally designated site is selected for each state, territory, and the District of Columbia and depicted on the reverse of a circulating quarter dollar.
The reverse design for the present coin features the Lincoln Bridge. It was built of limestone and dedicated in 1909 for the centennial for the 16th President's birth. The bridge represented the first constructed improvement within the National Recreation Area. The design is by Donna Weaver, with sculpting performed by Jim Licaretz.
The Chickasaw Quarter is expected to be released on November 14, 2011. On that date the coins will be distributed into the channels of circulation. At earlier dates, the coins will be available as incorporated into various numismatic products offered by the United States Mint. Additionally, the design of the quarter will be duplicated for the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins series, on 5 ounces of .999 fine silver.
About Chickasaw National Recreation Area
The history of the United States will forever be entwined with the legacy of the native people's that already inhabited the continent when European settlers, first arrived. It is unfortunate that the early interactions with these Native Americans were strained, and for lack of knowledge and tolerance, the early settlers often treated them with far less respect than they deserved. Throughout the years, the American government has slowly come to realize that the legacy of the Native Americans is just as important to understanding the history of this country as is the legacy of the early pioneers. Chickasaw National Recreation Area is one way that the federal government has sought to honor the memory of these native peoples.
During the 1830's many of the native tribes that were living peacefully in the Southeastern United States were relocated to reservations that the government had designated for them to be able to live out their traditional lifestyles without harm. The wooded hills and areas of southern Oklahoma were one of these areas, and it was here that the Chickasaw Indian Nation was placed.
Later, the Chickasaw Nation sold the land to the federal government as a park. Although this area was originally created as the Sulphur Springs Reservation in 1902, it was dedicated as the Platt National Park in 1906. It has since been renamed again, but still remains one of the most beautiful places to enjoy natural rivers, streams and lakes.
