| Some historians say that if the | | | | California into a number of small |
| Mayflower had landed on California's | | | | states. This suggestion is deemed to be |
| coast instead of the eastern seaboard, | | | | a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that would |
| the state would have been divided into | | | | Balkanize California into small states |
| several small states, similar to the New | | | | lacking adequate resources and virtually |
| England region. | | | | no power nationally. |
| Consider that it takes longer to drive | | | | Perhaps the most radical suggestion, and |
| from California's northern border to its | | | | also done facetiously, would make |
| southern boundary than it does to travel | | | | California a separate nation. This |
| on the opposite coast from Maine through | | | | proposal was the brainchild of San Jose |
| six New England states to Washington, | | | | Mercury newsman Ted Bredt, who noted |
| D.C. | | | | that California's resources and |
| There have been at least 26 different | | | | financial potential were larger than |
| proposals to split California. | | | | those of many nations. |
| The issue to divide California first | | | | In 1849, Jose Antonio Carrillo, a |
| arose when those in the southern part of | | | | southern delegate to the Constitutional |
| the state wanted the Capital there, | | | | Convention, proposed a split of |
| while those in the northern part of the | | | | California at San Luis Obispo. The |
| state likewise wanted it. | | | | southern part of the state would become |
| The location of the Capital, it was | | | | a territory, while the northern part |
| believed, would dictate the area that | | | | would become a state. |
| would receive the most political | | | | Other delegates at the Constitutional |
| considerations. | | | | Convention proposed including what is |
| Disvisionists first wanted to divide | | | | now California, but also Nevada, Utah, |
| California and locate the capitol either | | | | and Arizona in the new state. This |
| in Monterey, Los Angeles, or in San | | | | proposal was rejected out of hand as it |
| Diego. Northerners felt they were being | | | | would create a state too large. |
| overtaxed to pay for Southern | | | | In 1852, some Californians near the |
| California's education, social programs, | | | | Oregon border expressed their strong |
| and justice system. | | | | dissatisfaction over high taxes, poor |
| Another divisive issue between the north | | | | mail service, and the lack of military |
| and the south was the matter of water. | | | | protection against California Indian |
| The south was dependent on the north for | | | | tribes. They wanted to form the State |
| its water. Northerners felt the dams | | | | of Shasta. |
| and facilities necessary to transport | | | | There were attempts by one northern |
| water to the south were causing unwanted | | | | California area to separate from |
| geographic and climatic changes. Some | | | | California altogether. This was in |
| felt even the earthquakes, such as one | | | | 1856, when Isaac Newton Roop, the |
| in Oroville in 1975, were a result of | | | | founder of Susanville, and Peter Lassen, |
| the construction of water facilities. | | | | the explorer for whom Lassen County was |
| Advocates of dividing the state voiced a | | | | named, sought to form an independent |
| common grievance: California was just | | | | territory. |
| too big, and, therefore ungovernable. | | | | This territory would be made up by parts |
| In 1864, a state-splitting measure was | | | | of both northern California and of |
| placed on the ballot, approved by | | | | Nevada, which they would call Nataqua, a |
| voters, signed by the Governor, and sent | | | | word meaning woman in the local Indian |
| to Congress. Congress did not approve | | | | language. |
| it. | | | | Later, in 1854, resolutions were drafted |
| No state in the U.S. has been split into | | | | to form the State of Klamath, which |
| two or more regions since 1862, when the | | | | would include portions of Northern |
| western part of the state of Virginia | | | | California and of Southern Oregon. |
| opposed Virginia's secession from the | | | | Also in 1854, San Bernardino Assemblyman |
| Union in 1861, and Congress recognized | | | | Jefferson Hunt introduced a bill for the |
| it as the state of West Virginia. | | | | creation of a new state of Columbia, |
| Most proposals to divide California | | | | covering the area from Santa Cruz to the |
| would split the state horizontally into | | | | Mexican Border. |
| two parts, either at the Tehachapi | | | | It is unlikely that California will ever |
| Mountains or at a northern point just | | | | be divided. Any proposal aimed at |
| above or below Sacramento. There was at | | | | splitting the state must gain the |
| least one suggestion, however, that the | | | | consent of the legislature, and then be |
| state be divided vertically into East | | | | approved by Congress as well. |
| and West California. | | | | Still, the state-splitting issue is |
| Another suggestion proposed dividing | | | | likely to emerge many times in the |
| California into three states, North, | | | | future, as it is an easy way for a |
| South, and Central California. | | | | politician to get space in the press. |
| Still another proposal would divide | | | | |