 |
Bryce Canyon
Photograph by James Bynum |
When
Brigham Young led the persecuted American sect of Mormons into the deserts
of Utah in 1847, he found refuge in a land that no one else wanted. The
determined Mormons, however, made the desert bloom through their hard work
and skill. The descendents of these original settlers still make up a
majority of Utah's residents.
The
land of Utah covers 85,000 square miles, and is home to some of the most
spectacular and unique natural formations in the country. Some of these
unique sites have been designated national parks -- Famous among them are
Zion National Park with its natural monuments, the towers and spires of
Bryce Canyon, and the spectacular red rock of the Canyon Lands. Natural
bridges, gorgeous canyons, and mysterious moonscapes are all part of
Utah's landscape.
And
the mountains of Utah offer great skiing and a great place for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Visit the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
| THE NAME:
The Navajo Indians were referred to by the Apache as "Yuttahih" meaning "one that is higher
up." Europeans misunderstood this term to refer to the tribes living higher in the mountains than
the Navajo, the Utes, and the territory was called the land of the Utes, Utah.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Beehive State: Most of the nicknames associated with Utah are related to the members of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
or Mormons, that first settled in the territory. Deseret, in
The Book of Mormon is actually a honeybee. Early Mormon settlers have been described as
having carried "swarms of bees" with them. This nickname commemorates the industry of the people of
Utah. The beehive was adopted, in 1847, as an official emblem and represents
the qualities of industry, perseverance, thrift, stability, and self-reliance, all virtues respected
by the region's settlers. The beehive is the centerpiece of the Utah
Great Seal and the Utah State Flag.
The Deseret State: When the Mormons first came to the territory, they named the area The State of Deseret, a
reference to the honeybee in The Book of Mormon. This name was the official name of the colony from 1849
to 1850. The nickname, "The Deseret State," is in reference to Utah's original name.
The Mormon State: Utah is sometimes called "The Mormon State," after the first settlers in the territory;
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Land of the Saints: This term is another reference to the early settlers and their influence in the state.
Land of the Mormons: Again.. See above.
The Salt Lake State: This is the only non-Mormon nickname of the group and, of course, refers to
The Great Salt Lake.
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 Utah or who come from Utah are called Utahns. |
THE QUARTER:
 |
| U.S. Mint Image |
The fifth and final commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2007 honors Utah, and is the 45th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Utah was admitted into the Union on January 4, 1896, becoming our Nation's 45th state. The reverse of Utah's quarter features two locomotives moving toward the golden spike that joined the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, linking East to West and transforming both the Utah Territory and the Nation with the inscription "Crossroads of the West." The coin also bears the inscriptions "Utah" and "1896."
On May 10, 1869, two steam locomotives met at Promontory, Utah, for the "Joining of the Rails Ceremony," at which the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads completed the transcontinental route. The event was crucial to the development of the American West because it made cross-country travel more convenient and economical. The construction of the railroad, and the subsequent mining boom, brought diverse ethnic and religious populations to Utah. The railroad also symbolized the changing technology, and moved Utah from an agrarian economy to a more industrialized one.
Even before the time of steam locomotives, Utah experienced a steady flow of explorers and pioneers. The Spaniards first came to explore Utah in the 18th century and were followed by mountain men, Mormons and prospectors in search of precious metals found in the 1860s. Because of its central location, Utah became known as the "Crossroads of the West."
The Utah Commemorative Quarter Commission invited narrative submissions from the citizens of Utah. The Commission received approximately 5,000 submissions and recommended three concepts to the United States Mint for rendering by the United States Mint sculptor-engravers and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. More than 150,000 citizens voted in a 25-day statewide vote in April 2006. "Crossroads of the West" prevailed as the favorite design among voters. Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., announced the State's recommendation at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Promontory on May 10, 2006, the 137th anniversary of the Joining of the Rails.
The Department of the Treasury approved the design on June 22, 2006. The two other design concepts considered were the "Beehive," featuring a beehive, part of the official seal and State emblem of Utah, symbolizing industry and working together for common purposes, and "Winter Sports," featuring a female snow boarder and celebrating Utah as a world-class winter sport destination and the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
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. |
|
