State of Jefferson Counties Challenge
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This challenge includes 19 counties in the most recent proposed State of Jefferson incompassing counties in northern CA and southern OR. The difficulty is 5 as you'll need tools, the Oregon and California maps. The terrain may be as difficult as you choose. You will need to find a cache (regular, virtual, or earthcache) in each county. Caches found prior to the approval date don't count... yeah, we know!
This is an unusual and seldom heard story of what might have been the 49th State in the Union, before the state of Alaska. Google State of Jefferson for a more complete history and information. It's a "State of Mind".
As early as 1851 there was talk amongst the miners, loggers, and ranchers of the extreme northern new state of California and the restless southern Oregon territory about seceding to form a separate state.
The issues came to a head again in late 1941 when residents were upset with the lack of good roads and the deceit of there elected representatives who seemed to pay lip services to improving their needs, but once elected the constituents felt ignored. There was a sense of being "double crossed" which was reflected in the State Seal and Flag, with to offset Xs in the center of a yellow gold pan, on a forest green background.
In mid November, 1941 things came to a head. Meetings were held, plans were made, and a new flag and seal of the Great State of Jefferson were created. Men with hunting rifles and pickup trucks blocked the traffic on highway 99, and handed out copies of there secession proclamation to unwary travelers.
In the first week of December Judge John Childs was elected governor of the planned State. A celebration with bands and speechs went on into the night of December 4th as plans were made to bring the proclamation to both Salem and Sacramento. The news media from near and far were on hand to witness the event, and the plan was for national coverage during the week of December 8th throughout the country.
On December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked throwing the United States into a world war. The patriotic citizens threw their hearts and souls into the conflict and the plans for secession fell silent... at least for awhile.
The original four counties are now 19. The include: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, and Lake Counties in OR; and Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Mendocino, Glenn, and Butte Counties in CA.
You must submit a list to us of the 19 cache waypoints, dates found and names of the caches. Please email us with any questions through Geocaching.com. Please note: Cache is on private property with permission of the owner.
A Rock&Crystal Camo Heart Geocoin for the FTF
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Uvag: frrx n Ohggr Pbhagl pnpur naq trg gurz nyy nccebirq...ynfg! Uvag 2: 6682 haqre ynetr prqne.