Have any of you ever watched the show on the History Channel – How the States Got their Shapes? I haven’t actually seen any of the episodes but I always see the commercials and say “I should really watch that show” but it so far hasn’t made it farther than that. But one of my coworkers this week was telling me an interesting tidbit from the show, which I didn’t believe at first but now I certainly do, and want to share with you all.
Back in 1941, and a few other times since then, there was a concerted effort to create a new state from several counties in northern California and southern Oregon – the state of Jefferson. This is an area that was heavy with natural resources, but was not an area of either state that was of interest to the governments. In November 1941 these counties got together to talk about seceding from their current states and forming a new state. The name, Jefferson, was selected from entries submitted in a local newspaper contest.
State of Jefferson Proclamation of Independence
You are now entering Jefferson, the 49th State of the Union.
Jefferson is now in patriotic rebellion against the States of California and Oregon.
This State has seceded from California and Oregon this Thursday, November 27, 1941.
Patriotic Jeffersonians intend to secede each Thursday until further notice.
For the next hundred miles as you drive along Highway 99, you are traveling parallel to the greatest copper belt in the far West, seventy-five miles west of here.
The United States government needs this vital mineral. But gross neglect by California and Oregon deprives us of necessary roads to bring out the copper ore.
If you don't believe this, drive down the Klamath River Highwayand see for yourself. Take your chains, shovel and dynamite.
Until California and Oregon build a road into the copper country, Jefferson, as a defense minded state, will be forced to rebel each Thursday and act as a separate State.
(Please carry this proclamation with you and pass them out on your way.)
State of Jefferson Citizens Committee
Temporary State Capitol, Yreka
While Jefferson is not an actual state – it is considered by those that live there to be a state of mind. They have a flag and a seal and there are many signs throughout the area referring to the State of Jefferson.
For additional information about the State of Jefferson you can check out these websites:
http://www.jeffersonstate.com/
http://yrekahistory.blogspot.com/2010/10/yreka-capital-city-state-of-jefferson.html
You can also check out the following books:
The State of Jefferson by Bernita Tickner – part of the Images of America series
The State of Jefferson: The Dream Lives On! by James T Rock
Suddenly Sunday is hosted by Svea at The Muse in the Fog Book Reviews.
Copyright © 2011 by The Maiden’s Court
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