The map of the United States, with its familiar jigsaw puzzle of fifty states, seems immutable. It is a testament to historical and political forces that have shaped the continent. Yet, beneath this veneer of permanence lies a fascinating history of what could have been. Throughout American history, many proposals for new states have emerged. These efforts were fueled by regional identities and economic aspirations. Political maneuvering and the whims of ambitious individuals also played a role. These “phantom states” offer a captivating glimpse into alternative American landscapes. They reveal the diverse aspirations of its people.
From the earliest days of the republic, the idea of carving out new states has been a recurring theme. This continued into the modern era. The very process of westward expansion inherently led to discussions about the organization of new territories and their eventual statehood. Yet, not all such ambitions came to fruition. Some phantom states withered due to lack of popular support. Others were derailed by political opposition in Congress. Still others phantom states were overtaken by larger historical events like wars or economic shifts.
Exploring these unrealized statehood movements helps us understand the complex interplay of geography, culture, and politics. This interplay shapes the nation. It reveals the fluid nature of identity. There is an enduring human wish for self-determination, even within the framework of a larger union. Let’s explore the intriguing world of the phantom states of America. We will catalog as many of these proposed entities as possible. We will also briefly explore their origins and fates of these phantom states.
Early Republic and Antebellum Ambitions
The fledgling United States saw a flurry of proposals as new territories were acquired and settled. The Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution laid out processes for admitting new states, sparking many local movements.
- Franklin (1784-1788): Franklin is the most well-known of these early attempts. It emerged from discontent in the western counties of North Carolina. Residents felt neglected by the state government. They sought to form their own state. They even elected a governor and established a rudimentary government. Nonetheless, internal divisions and North Carolina’s eventual concessions led to the movement’s collapse, and the territory was reabsorbed.
- Transylvania (1775): Even before the Declaration of Independence, the Transylvania Company tried to set up a proprietary colony. It was located between the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers. This colony would encompass parts of modern-day Kentucky and West Virginia. Led by Richard Henderson, the company negotiated a treaty with the Cherokee. Nonetheless, the Continental Congress refused to recognize its claims. The venture ultimately failed as the area became part of Virginia and later Kentucky.
- Westsylvania (1775-1782): During the Revolutionary War, settlers lived west of the Allegheny Mountains. These areas are now current southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and parts of Kentucky. The settlers advocated for a new state. They felt geographically and culturally distinct from the eastern parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Though it never gained official recognition, the movement reflected the growing westward consciousness. And the plan fizzled under opposition from Virginia and Pennsylvania, but maps of the time occasionally included the name.
- Charleston (Early 1800s): South Carolina’s political landscape became increasingly dominated by the planter class of the lowcountry. As a result, some residents of the upcountry considered forming a separate state, named Charleston. These tensions were rooted in differing economic interests and political ideologies. They never escalated to a formal statehood movement but highlight regional divisions.
- Superior (Mid-1800s): The iron and copper mining industries grew in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a result, the idea of a separate state of Superior gained traction. This was also due to the expansion of mining in northern Wisconsin. Proponents argued that the region’s unique geography and economic interests differed significantly from the lower portions of their respective states. While the movement garnered some support, it ultimately couldn’t overcome logistical and political hurdles.
- Deseret (1849): Proposed by Mormon settlers in the Great Salt Lake Basin. Deseret encompassed a vast territory stretching across much of the current-day American Southwest. This included parts of Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and even a sliver of Oregon. While never officially recognized by the U.S. government, Deseret functioned as a de facto state for a few years with its own constitution and legislature. The Compromise of 1850 eventually led to the creation of the Utah Territory, significantly smaller than the proposed Deseret. Yet remnants of Deseret’s name survive in local culture, maps, and even Utah’s official symbols.
- Jefferson (1859-1861): In the lead-up to the Civil War, some counties in southern Colorado Territory yearned for more local control. They appeared on maps in the 1850s as a proposed mining state spanning parts of modern Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. They felt neglected by the distant territorial government. These counties sought to form their own state of Jefferson. They even held unofficial elections and established a provisional government. Still, the outbreak of the Civil War and the subsequent organization of Colorado Territory proper effectively ended the movement.
Civil War and Reconstruction Era Ideas
The tumultuous period of the Civil War and Reconstruction saw several proposals for new states. These proposals were often tied to the conflict’s outcomes. They were also related to the reorganization of the South.
- Lincoln (1861-1865): During the Civil War, Unionists in East Tennessee were loyal to the federal government. Meanwhile, the rest of the state seceded. They explored the possibility of forming a separate state named Lincoln. While the Union victory ultimately reunited Tennessee, the movement underscored the deep divisions within Confederate states.
- Nickajack (1860s): Like Lincoln. Parts of northern Alabama with strong Unionist sentiment considered forming a separate state. It was sometimes referred to as Nickajack. This movement also faded with the end of the war and the reunification of Alabama. Though the idea never left the drawing board, maps of Nickajack illustrate the fissures within the Confederacy itself.
- Scott (1861): In Tennessee, the small mountainous county of Scott opposed secession. It declared itself the “Free and Independent State of Scott.” Though tiny and never recognized, it remained symbolically independent until 1986, when it formally rejoined Tennessee.
- Kanawha (1861-1863): The western counties of Virginia were largely opposed to secession. They formed their own government. This area eventually became the state of West Virginia. Initially, the proposed name was Kanawha, after the Kanawha River, but West Virginia was ultimately chosen.
- South Florida (Post-Civil War): After the Civil War, some residents of South Florida felt neglected. They believed the state government in Tallahassee had overlooked them. They advocated for the creation of a separate state. The vast distances and differing economic interests between the northern and southern parts of the state fueled this sentiment. Nevertheless, it never gained significant traction.
Late 19th and Early 20th Century Aspirations for phantom states
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw continued westward expansion. This period also observed the development of distinct regional identities. These changes led to further statehood proposals and further phantom states.
- Oklahoma Territory Divisions (Early 1900s): Before Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory merged to form the state of Oklahoma in 1907, these areas were separate entities. They were considered distinct regions. Oklahoma was regarded as two distinct regions. There were discussions about forming separate states. People debated whether to create two separate states. There were considerations for creating two separate states. Some proposals suggested dividing the area along roughly the 36th parallel, with different names considered for each entity.
- Jefferson (Early 20th Century): Do not confuse this with the earlier Colorado proposal. A movement emerged in the early 20th century in the sparsely populated region of southern Oregon and northern California. It sought to form a state named Jefferson. Residents felt overlooked by their respective state governments and desired more local control over resources and infrastructure. This movement saw occasional revivals throughout the 20th century.
- Delmarva (20th Century): The Delmarva Peninsula includes parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. There have occasionally been discussions about forming a unified state. Proponents argue for a shared regional identity and potential for greater economic and political influence. Nonetheless, the strong historical ties to the existing states have always outweighed this sentiment.
- Long Island (20th Century): Residents of Long Island, New York, periodically expressed interest in seceding. They were mainly from Nassau and Suffolk counties. Long Island wanted to separate from New York City. They also considered breaking away from upstate New York to form their own state. Concerns about taxation, representation, and differing suburban/urban interests have fueled these discussions, though they have never gained widespread support.
- Dakota (single vs. double): The Dakota Territory originally stretched across both present-day North and South Dakota. Statehood advocates clashed over whether to admit one large state or two smaller ones. Politics—particularly Republican desires for two sets of senators, led to the division. Had things gone differently, we have a single Dakota today.
- South California (20th Century): Southern California experienced rapid growth. It developed a distinct cultural and economic identity from Northern California. As a result, the idea of splitting the state has surfaced many times. Issues like water allocation, taxation, and political representation have driven these proposals, none of which have progressed far.
- North California (20th Century): Conversely, residents of Northern California often feel their concerns are overshadowed by the more populous south. They have floated the idea of forming their own state. It is sometimes referred to as “North California” or other names.
- Sequoyah (1905): Native leaders in Indian Territory sought to form their own state. They wanted to name it after the Cherokee scholar Sequoyah. Their proposal, centered in present-day eastern Oklahoma, was formally drafted with a constitution and petitioned to Congress. Instead, Sequoyah was merged with Oklahoma Territory in 1907 to create the state of Oklahoma. The loss of Sequoyah represents one of the clearest missed opportunities for Native political sovereignty in American history.
- Puerto Rico (Ongoing): The question of Puerto Rico’s status has been a long-standing debate. It is not technically a “phantom state” in the same vein as the others. Nonetheless, it signifies a territory that has repeatedly considered statehood. It has voted on statehood but has yet to be admitted to the Union.
- Washington, D.C. (Ongoing): The District of Columbia has a long history of advocating for statehood. Like Puerto Rico, it seeks full representation in Congress. Various names have been proposed, for example “Washington, Douglass Commonwealth,” but DC remains a federal district.
- New Ireland (Maine, 1783): After the American Revolutionary War, some residents in the easternmost parts of Maine considered forming a separate state. They contemplated creating New Ireland. This new state would separate them from Massachusetts. This idea reflected their geographic isolation. They also had distinct economic interests. This movement was short-lived.
- Muscogee (Early 20th Century): Tribal governments in Indian Territory were dismantled. Afterward, some Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizens had an idea. They proposed forming a state named Muscogee. This was a way to preserve their sovereignty and cultural identity within the United States. This effort ultimately failed with the creation of the state of Oklahoma.
- Absaroka (1930s): During the Great Depression, residents of parts of Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota felt economically neglected. They proposed forming a state named Absaroka. The name was taken from the Crow Indian name for the region. Absaroka had a governor, license plates, and even beauty queens. The movement was largely symbolic and faded with economic recovery.
- East Florida and West Florida: Before Florida achieved statehood, plans abounded to divide it into east and west states. Even after admission in 1845, West Florida (the Panhandle) sometimes considered separating due to distance from Tallahassee.
- Bob Marshall Wilderness Area State (Late 20th Century): A more recent proposal was arguably more whimsical. It suggested turning the vast Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana into its own state. The focus of this proposal was primarily on conservation and wilderness preservation. This idea never gained serious political traction.
- Texlahoma (Early 20th Century): There were some discussions about the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. The regions considered forming a separate state. This was due to their geographic isolation and agricultural economies.
- Columbia: There have been several proposals to carve a new state out of the Pacific Northwest named Columbia. In one version, eastern Washington wanted to separate from the coastal cities. Another version included northern Idaho joining the new state. Even today, eastern Washingtonians occasionally revive the Columbia idea, highlighting the east–west divide in state politics.
- Montezuma (Arizona split proposal): At various points, settlers in northern Arizona proposed creating a separate state named Montezuma. This plan resurfaced repeatedly in the late 19th century but was never adopted.
- Ozark (Early 20th Century): Residents of the Ozark Mountain region spanned parts of Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. They occasionally discussed the possibility of forming a state. This idea was based on their shared cultural and geographic identity.
- Arrowhead (Minnesota, Early 20th Century): The northeasternmost region of Minnesota is known as the Arrowhead. It has distinct geography. The region relies on mining and forestry. There were some fleeting discussions about potential statehood.
The Enduring Appeal of Phantom States
The sheer number and variety of these unrealized statehood proposals (phantom states) highlight the dynamic nature of American political geography. Phantom states illustrate its often contested nature. They show regional aspirations, economic disparities, cultural identities, and the ever-lasting tension between local autonomy and national unity.
The stories of these phantom states offer valuable insights into the forces that have shaped the United States. They also give understanding into those that continue to shape it, even though none of these phantom states ultimately materialized. They remind us that the map of the nation is not a static entity. It is the result of ongoing political, social, and economic processes.
Exploring these “republics that never were” enriches our understanding of American history. It also highlights the enduring quest for self-determination within a diverse and evolving nation. The dream of a different arrangement persists. A state tailored to specific needs and identities continues to flicker in various corners of the country. Phantom states are a testament to the enduring appeal of shaping one’s own political destiny.