2013 Great Basin National Park Quarter, P Mint

Great Basin National Park Quarter
Philadelphia Mint
Issue Date: June 10, 2013
Issue Quantity: 122,400,000

Great Basin National Park Quarter Design Elements: Bristlecone Pine tree growing in glacial moraine

The Great Basin’s first white settler arrived around 1855 to establish a ranch.  As gold...  more

Great Basin National Park Quarter
Philadelphia Mint
Issue Date: June 10, 2013
Issue Quantity: 122,400,000

Great Basin National Park Quarter Design Elements: Bristlecone Pine tree growing in glacial moraine

The Great Basin’s first white settler arrived around 1855 to establish a ranch.  As gold, silver, and other valuable minerals were discovered, more and more people flocked to the area.  

By 1905, the United States Forest Service was established and its chief, Gifford Pinchot, turned his attention to central eastern Nevada.  He grew concerned over the remaining timber supply and wanted to protect it from fire and exploitation.  

Steps were taken to create the Osceola Forest Reserve in 1906, but the park was never officially established.  Then, on February 10, 1909, President William Howard Taft created the Nevada National Forest (with roughly the same boundaries as the proposed forest reserve).  A few boundary changes were made during the next decade, including both additions and eliminations.  

The first talks of making the area a national park came in 1955.  County officials supported the idea, believing it would increase publicity and tourism.  Despite having the support of the National Park Service, the movement was hindered by the National Forest Service, which formed the Wheeler Peak Scenic Area in 1959, comprising much of the land planned for the national park.

After several years of tension, debates, and court proceedings, the 76,000-acre Great Basin National Park was established when President Ronald Reagan signed it into law on October 27, 1986.