From the earliest days of Oregon statehood, rural residents felt isolated from their political leaders and the state capitol in Salem. That distance has sparked several efforts to carve a new state out of Southern Oregon and Northern California called the "State of Jefferson.”
Oregon Historical Society
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Oregon's most rural residents often feel ignored by the state's far off capitol in Salem. Distance, and lack of local control, has sparked a series of secessionist movements in Southern Oregon and Northern California. One of the most infamous attempts came in 1941 when community leaders organized and publicized their attempts to create a "State of Jefferson." Eventually, the effort died. Today, Jefferson lives on as a state of mind.
Watch the Oregon Experience documentary "State of Jefferson" for more information.
This series is in partnership with The Oregon Historical Society