The citizens of the northern California and southern Oregon counties felt isolated and ignored in the 1940's. These rural counties were sparcely populated and depended on lumber and fishing for survival. The legeislatures located in Salem and Sacramento seemingly ignored their needs. So they revolted.
They started to gain newspaper notoriety when they declared that the new state of Jefferson would not have sales tax, property tax, or income tax. The source of revenue for the new state would be red light districts and gambling halls, of all things.
On December 4, 1941 the election for the first govenor of the state of Jefferson was held. A crescent City judge, John C. Childs, won the election. Quite a party ensued. Hollywood newsreels were invited along with photographers from "Life" and "Time" magazines. The local people were asked to dress like cowboys and carry pistols. Even the kids were given a day off from school to join in a parade to the court house.
Then progress came to an end. December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and all national attention was focused on the tragedy. Judge Child, in his last act as govenor, declared that all activity toward the state of Jefferson stop and all enery be put forth to defending the United States.
Many citizens still remember those days and periodically there is some revival. As you near Yreka on Interstate 5, you can see a sign painted on a barn proclaiming the state of Jefferson. There are even business named Jefferson.
One can only wonder what would have happened if the plans for a new state had not been interupted by WWII. Would we have had a new state of Jefferson. It is conjecture that this was not a joke but an effort to gain attention to the problems of rural counties that had little voice when it came to competing with Los Angeles or San Francisco.
