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Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
The buffalo, the Native American, the lone hunter, the pioneer . . . they all traveled through Cumberland Gap, the first gateway to the West, into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great break in the Appalachian Mountain chain, carved by wind and water. Visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park enjoy many miles of trails and scenic features, as the park stretches for 26 miles along Cumberland Mountain, ranging from one to four miles in width and containing 24,000 acres. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports diverse animal life including white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey. It was established as a national site in 1940.
2016 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (KY) Quarter reverse
The design features a frontiersman gazing across the mountains to the West. Many pioneers used Cumberland Gap on their journey into the western frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee. Inscriptions are “CUMBERLAND GAP,” “FIRST DOORWAY TO THE WEST,” “KENTUCKY,” “2016” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Design candidates were developed in consultation with representatives of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.