Railroad gets most votes in new U.S. quarter contest
Arizona Coin Collector
http://www.ledgerdelaware.com/articles/2009/03/06/news/doc49ac453e2ea6d979136130.txt
Railroad gets most votes in new U.S. quarter contest
Published: Monday, March 2, 2009 2:48 PM CST
The Wilmington and Western Historic Railroad received the
mostvotes in the contest to help select which site will
represent Delaware in the next state quarter series,
Gov. Jack Markell and U.S. Rep Michael Castle announced
Monday.
A write-in candidate, the railroad received 3,769 votes.
The runner-ups were the New Castle Court House
(2,477 votes), Howard High School (2,189 votes) and
the Old State House (1,620 votes). These four sites have
been forwardedto the U.S. Mint, which will make the final
decision.
"These four selections span several important eras in
Delaware's history and illustrate what a critical role
Delaware has played in key moments of America's past,"
Markell said. "We have a long and proud history here in
Delaware, and we look forward to sharing that storied
history with the nation."
More than 25,000 votes were cast in the contest, which
is part of the United States Mint's latest series of
state quarters. Following up on the 1999 50-state
quarter release, this initiative calls on states and
territories to design one landmark to appear on the
new set of quarters, which will bereleased beginning
in 2010. Five quarters will be released each year.
"The sites selected to choose from are those that
Delawareans hold most dear to showcase our heritage
to the country," said Rep. Castle, author of
legislation to create this and the original state
quarters program. "Aside from the historic value
and excitement surrounding these quarters, many do
not realize that the original state quarters
program, recently named the most successful coin
program in U.S. history, raised over 3 billion
dollars in revenue for the federal government. I
am encouraged, judging by interestthus far in the
site selection process, that this program will
generate the
same level of enthusiasm, and revenue, as the
original 50 State Quarters Program."
Established in 1867, the Wilmington and Western
Historic Railroad is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The railroad began
hauling freight and passengers and now carries
thousands of Delawareans and out-of-state visitors
who want to enjoy the local scenery and learn more
about the region's history.
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