Alternative history
The strange tale of Deseret—and other U.S. states that almost were
Image: Chris Lawton
Ever looked at a U.S. map and thought it could use a few adjustments? You wouldn’t be the first. Over the past 250 years, dozens of proposed states nearly joined the Union —born from bold ideas, local rebellions, or just geographic quirks. While none made it through Congress, they left fascinating marks on American history. From the mysterious lost state of Deseret to the proposed Native American haven of Sequoyah, here are 10 would-be states that nearly carved out a place in the stars and stripes.
1
Franklin
Image: Brett Wharton
Also known as the Free Republic of Franklin or the State of Frankland, this short-lived territory in eastern Tennessee declared independence from North Carolina in 1784. Its founders even petitioned Congress and appealed to Benjamin Franklin for support—hence the name—but it never gained official recognition.
By 1788, the movement had collapsed, and the area was reabsorbed into North Carolina before eventually becoming part of Tennessee in 1796. Today, the "State of Franklin" lives on mostly in U.S. law school exams as a fictional stand-in for a generic state —often where the imaginary property Blackacre is located.
2
Jefferson
Image: Shelby White
This proposed state has its origins in the 19th-century California Gold Rush, when settlers in the remote, resource-rich region between northern California and southern Oregon pushed for self-governance.
Though their efforts were largely ignored, the movement resurfaced over time. In 1941, frustrated locals staged a symbolic one-day secession. Armed men stopped traffic near Yreka, handing out a Proclamation of Independence declaring the State of Jefferson in "patriotic rebellion" and vowing to "secede every Thursday until further notice."
3
Deseret
Image: SoloTravelGoals
Proposed by Mormon settlers in 1849, the State of Deseret would’ve spanned a massive portion of the West. The name Deseret is derived from the word for "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon, and the vision was of a theocratic state encompassing parts of present-day Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and beyond.
Congress denied the proposal due to its size and religious nature, but a stone donated by Deseret’s supporters in 1853 was still placed in the Washington Monument.
4
Sequoyah
Image: MJ Tangonan
Proposed in 1905, this would’ve been a Native American–majority state in what is now eastern Oklahoma. Despite extensive lobbying by representatives of the Five Civilized Tribes, Congress refused, preferring a single Oklahoma Territory.
Despite its failure, the proposed state’s constitution left a lasting legacy —much of its content was later adopted into the Oklahoma Constitution.
5
Absaroka
Image: Michael Bourgault
Named after the Crow word for "children of the large-beaked bird," the State of Absaroka was proposed in 1939. Comprising parts of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota, the idea emerged mainly as a protest against New Deal policies, which were deeply resented by the rural population.
Leaders of the movement even issued license plates, but the effort never gained serious traction and remained a largely symbolic gesture.
6
Westsylvania
Image: Matthew Lancaster
Proposed during the Revolutionary War, Westsylvania would have been a new state formed from the western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania . Backwoods settlers, feeling neglected by distant colonial governments, sought self-governance.
However, Congress rejected the plan to avoid stirring further conflict during wartime.
7
Superior
Image: Mikaela Charette
With such a strong regional identity, it was perhaps inevitable that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula would eventually seek statehood. Efforts began as early as the 1850s and resurfaced repeatedly due to the region’s political and economic isolation.
Another proposed name for the state was Ontonagon. Despite these repeated attempts, the Upper Peninsula remained part of Michigan.
8
Lincoln
Image: K. Mitch Hodge
Named for Abraham Lincoln, this proposed state would have split the Texas Panhandle from the rest of the state. Throughout the 1860s and again in the 1880s, residents of the Panhandle and surrounding areas sought separation due to the region’s distance from Austin and cultural differences.
While none of the proposals gained enough federal support, residents of the area still feel distinct today and take pride in their unique identity.
9
Texlahoma
Image: Tommy Bond
Another failed attempt at carving out part of one of the largest states in the U.S., the State of Texlahoma would have—as its name suggests—combined portions of Texas and Oklahoma into a single state.
The push for autonomy was especially strong during the Dust Bowl, when a shared economy and perceived neglect by local governments united residents of both regions.
10
Columbia (D.C. Statehood)
Image: Heidi Kaden
Washington, D.C., has long been considered for statehood under the name of Columbia . Multiple bills and referenda have tried to turn the federal district into the 51st state, as residents pay federal taxes but lack voting representation in Congress.
Despite strong support among D.C. residents, the idea has yet to gain serious traction at the national level.
