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The State of Jefferson - America's LOST 49th State

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Harris & Taylor

The State of Jefferson - America's LOST 49th State

A little remembered patriotic secession movement in 1941 would have created America's 49th state!

State of Jefferson

The area composed of Southern Oregon and Northern California patriotically rebelled against their respective states and petitioned the U.S. congress to allow their secession and formation of a new state.

The secession was fueled by the people (over 45,000 at that time) feeling they had been ignored by the capitals in Salem, Oregon and Sacramento, California.

No improvements; such as roads and railways were being made, while the other areas in both states were prospering.

The official flag for the State of Jefferson was a yellow gold pan on a green field with two XX's in the center of the pan to signify that they had been "double crossed."

State of Jefferson

This was also the state seal.

The state to be named Jefferson, after the president, was to have its' temporary capital in Yreka, California.  Judge John L. Childs, of Crescent City, CA was elected governor on December 4th 1941, and Hollywood newsreel camera crews were on hand to record the ceremonies.

These newsreels were set to air starting December 8th, and the well publicized secession and application for statehood was given a great chance for congressional approval.

The  State of Jefferson's, hopes were dashed with the tragic bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, and the 48 states went to war with Japan, united as ever!

Recognizing the raw materials in the area needed for the war effort, the roads were soon built, and the area of Jefferson was suddenly of importance to the nation, and thus ended the formation of a new state.

Remembrances of the State of Jefferson are prevalent in the area to this day.  Jefferson Public Radio is one of the largest independent stations in the country, serving over 60,000 square miles in the heart of the State of Jefferson

You can buy license frames for your car that say "resident of the State of Jefferson." 

Come visit us sometime, and you may wish to join the movement once you see how beautiful this country really is!

Posted by

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Comments (2)

Anonymous
Pamela Foster

I'm a published author (Redneck Goddess, Bigfoot Blues) researching a book.  Can you tell me, please, why some older maps show the 1941 area of The State of Jefferson to include Humboldt County and newer maps leave it off.

Jun 16, 2012 03:12 AM
#1
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Hi Pamela.

 

I'm sorry, but I have no idea, as I am relatively new here myself.

 

Gary

Jun 22, 2012 03:22 AM