Background
The original idea of a “State of Jefferson” began in Yreka, California in the 1850’s during the Gold Rush, although no one really did anything to make it a reality until the 1940’s. A favored Jefferson quote of these politicians and businessmen was from a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1787, “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”The Yreka Chamber of Commerce was one of the main groups that helped form and shape the movement for independence. This group of people took a stand against the unequal conditions of Northern California and Southern Oregon, such as the bad roads and obnoxious taxes that went to state capitols instead going towards local improvements.
A major turning point for the creation of a State of Jefferson was in 1935 when John C. Childs took a stand against the poor conditions of Northern California. He was elected as governor of the State of Jefferson in a provisional gubernatorial race. Gilbert Gable of Southern Oregon also wanted to join Jefferson and created a new state bonding the two regions. Yreka's rebellious politician and the group of men in in these two states took a stand against both California and Oregon's government. The Yreka Chamber of Commerce took this stand because there was an unfair distribution of money between Southern California and Northern California. Though each area paid the same amount of taxes, Southern California’s roads were repaired regularly and Northern California’s roads were still gravel and dirt. Northern California would give the state what they asked for, which includes water, wood, and minerals, but in exchange, Northern California only asked for paved roads and a higher tax budget in order to build a larger community . The Yreka Chamber of Commerce named their planned state after President Thomas Jefferson because his words had inspired the Yreka Chamber of Commerce.
A major turning point for the creation of a State of Jefferson was in 1935 when John C. Childs took a stand against the poor conditions of Northern California. He was elected as governor of the State of Jefferson in a provisional gubernatorial race. Gilbert Gable of Southern Oregon also wanted to join Jefferson and created a new state bonding the two regions. Yreka's rebellious politician and the group of men in in these two states took a stand against both California and Oregon's government. The Yreka Chamber of Commerce took this stand because there was an unfair distribution of money between Southern California and Northern California. Though each area paid the same amount of taxes, Southern California’s roads were repaired regularly and Northern California’s roads were still gravel and dirt. Northern California would give the state what they asked for, which includes water, wood, and minerals, but in exchange, Northern California only asked for paved roads and a higher tax budget in order to build a larger community . The Yreka Chamber of Commerce named their planned state after President Thomas Jefferson because his words had inspired the Yreka Chamber of Commerce.
“People who feel helpless are taking matters into their own hands. If that means violence, they’re ready for that. You can only push people so far.” - Matt Rokes, 2014, Daily News
Gilbert Gable, the first Mayor of Port Orford, Oregon. The date is unknown.The Source is Colordove.
"If you don’t do some of what I need done here, so I can make money I want to build this community I’m going to secede” - Gilbert Gable, 1935, Jefferson Public Radio
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Personal Interview, The date was March 2017, The source is Jim Garrison, a historian from the Humboldt historical society. Jim Garrison explains that Southern California was treating Northern California as a "Valuable Renewable Comity." He explains that these N, California counties used to be sheep raising industries, and timber production, and how they were affected by bigger economic shifts in the state.
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Newspaper article, the date is 1941, the source is Humboldt Standards
In this article,the newspaper explains how hard it is to make a state, and how "no one" wants to be in the state of Jefferson. "However,it is good advertising stunt for the minerals of the region." - Micheal J. Burns "no sales tax, no income tax, no liquor tax, and no slot machines" - A county official. To support their government by levying small royalties on mining and timber developments. |