The
Maine quarter is the third quarter of 2003, and the 23rd in the 50
State Quarters® Program. Maine became the 23rd state to be admitted into
the Union, as part of the Missouri Compromise on March 15, 1820. The
Maine quarter design incorporates a rendition of the Pemaquid Point
Light atop a granite coast and of a schooner at sea.
Pemaquid
Point Light is located in New Harbor, and marks the entrance to
Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay. Since the beginning of ship activity in the
area, a shoal created hazardous navigation conditions, causing many
shipwrecks. As maritime trade increased in the area, so did the need for
a lighthouse. In 1826, Congress appropriated funds to build a
lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. Although the original building was
replaced in 1835, and the original 10 lamps in 1856, the light is still a
beacon for ships and remains one of Maine's most popular tourist
attractions.
The
schooner resembles "Victory Chimes, " the last three-masted schooner of
the Windjammer Fleet. "Victory Chimes" has become synonymous with Maine
windjamming.
Source: United States Mint
Welcome
to the great state of Maine! From the pristine wilderness of the
conifer and hardwood forests that cover 895 of the state, to the
magnificent rocky coastline of the north, to the long sandy beaches of
the south, Maine is truly a scenic wonder. Picturesque lighthouses and
quaint fishing villages add to the natural splendor of the coastline.
Majestic homes of 19th century sea captains, many with their original
widow's walks, grace the seaside towns.
Humorist
Will Rogers remarked, "Did you ever see a place that looked like it was
built to enjoy? Well this whole state of Maine looks that way."
Maine
isn't just about beautiful scenery and wilderness. Maine's history and
economy have been linked to vast timber reserves and to the sea; in this
case, the Atlantic Ocean. The abundance of timber served the state well
as Maine became noted for its shipbuilding in colonial times. The first
ship built and launched in western hemisphere was the Virginia,
launched in 1607. Shipbuilding continued to flourish in Maine as the
manufacture of wooden ships gave way to iron and steel. The first atomic
submarine, the Swordfish was built in Maine. On the other end of the
scale, Maine produces more canoes than any other state in the union.
Though
the wooden shipbuilding industry disappeared long ago, Maine forests
continue to provide the raw resources for its most important
manufactured products; cardboard boxes, paper bags, wood pulp, and
paper.
Maine's
blueberry harvest is the largest in the nation, yielding almost all the
low bush blueberries grown in the United States. Potatoes are a major
product of Maine, growing well in the cool north. And the state is
famous for delicious shellfish, too, especially clams and the famous
Maine lobster. Maine's yearly lobster catch is larger than any other
state.
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