Jefferson Territory: Wilderness and Frontier
Product Description
Featuring Landscapes of the Klamath, Trinity and Mount Shasta Regions
Images by Erich Ziller
Local photographer Erich Ziller has the following to say about the “Jefferson Territory” in the introduction to this incredible book of photographs of the region:
“From the beginning this land of mountains, rivers, valleys and lakes has been a showcase of nature’s possibilities and bounty. Early native American tribes settles in its varied regions and thrived on its abundance of fish, game, and pure water. The local features, characteristics, and beauty of the land honed each tribe’s culture, myths, and world view. Mountains, most notably Mount Shasta, became sacred sites.
The first white explorers were early fur trappers such as Stephen Meeks, Peter Skene Ogden, and Michael LaFramboise. With the discovery of gold, prospectors came north along the Sacramento River and created the large gold towns of Yreka and Weaverville. Others followed the Klamath, Scott, and Trinity Rivers deep into the wilderness. They were joined by adventurers and pioneers like John Freemont, Joachim Miller, and John Muir.
Homesteaders came by wagon during the great westward migration and started farms and ranches in the Shasta, Butte and Hayford Valleys, and along the mountain rivers and streams. They were followed by lumbermen and railroad builders.
After California and Oregon achieved statehood, the people of this mountainous region felt isolated and neglected by governments in Sacramento and Salem. Their rugged individualism and loyalty to their region gave rise to the State of Jefferson movement. Although always thwarted, the movement has revived periodically during the last 150 years, and is still alive in the hearts of many today. The mythical State of Jefferson is a place that never was, yet always will be.
Today, the Jefferson Territory represents the best of what remains of the State of Jefferson spirit. It contains the highest mountains, the lowest population, and the most spectacular scenery. Within its borders lies the greatest concentration of Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers in America. The Marble Mountain, Trinity Alps, Red Buttes, Siskiyou, Russian, Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, North Fork, Yolla Bolly - Middle Eel and Chanchelulla Wildernesses are found here. Spectacular canyons are carved through the rugged mountains by the Klamath, Trinity, Upper Sacramento, Scott, Shasta, Salmon, Mad, McCloud and Eel Rivers. Among the many scenic wonders are majestic and mystical 14,162 ft. Mount Shasta, spectacular and secluded Trinity Lake, Burney Falls, Lava Beds National Monument, Ahjumawi Lava Springs, and Clear Lake, Lower Klamath Lake, and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges.
This outdoor mecca attracts modern adventurers with worldclass whitewater rafting, hiking, fishing, mountain and rock climbing, biking, skiing and winter sports, birdwatching, goldpanning, golf, hunting, ballooning, and more. There is 200 miles of Pacific Crest Trail and the largest gathering of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. From lava tubes and ice caves to glaciers and sheer cliffs, from rangeland valleys to treeless mountain peaks, from Class V rapids to secluded and serene lakes, the outdoor possibilities are endless.
I hope that this book of scenes from the Jefferson Territory will encourage you to explore the region yourself and to share with residents the pride and respect they feel for this land. Whether you actively engage in the myriad of outdoor adventures available or just enjoy the spectacular scenery and the laid-back way of life, I’m sure you will appreciate the unique geography and culture. It is a part of America that is disappearing and that needs to be preserved.”
26 page, full-color booklet
Images by Erich Ziller
Local photographer Erich Ziller has the following to say about the “Jefferson Territory” in the introduction to this incredible book of photographs of the region:
“From the beginning this land of mountains, rivers, valleys and lakes has been a showcase of nature’s possibilities and bounty. Early native American tribes settles in its varied regions and thrived on its abundance of fish, game, and pure water. The local features, characteristics, and beauty of the land honed each tribe’s culture, myths, and world view. Mountains, most notably Mount Shasta, became sacred sites.
The first white explorers were early fur trappers such as Stephen Meeks, Peter Skene Ogden, and Michael LaFramboise. With the discovery of gold, prospectors came north along the Sacramento River and created the large gold towns of Yreka and Weaverville. Others followed the Klamath, Scott, and Trinity Rivers deep into the wilderness. They were joined by adventurers and pioneers like John Freemont, Joachim Miller, and John Muir.
Homesteaders came by wagon during the great westward migration and started farms and ranches in the Shasta, Butte and Hayford Valleys, and along the mountain rivers and streams. They were followed by lumbermen and railroad builders.
After California and Oregon achieved statehood, the people of this mountainous region felt isolated and neglected by governments in Sacramento and Salem. Their rugged individualism and loyalty to their region gave rise to the State of Jefferson movement. Although always thwarted, the movement has revived periodically during the last 150 years, and is still alive in the hearts of many today. The mythical State of Jefferson is a place that never was, yet always will be.
Today, the Jefferson Territory represents the best of what remains of the State of Jefferson spirit. It contains the highest mountains, the lowest population, and the most spectacular scenery. Within its borders lies the greatest concentration of Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers in America. The Marble Mountain, Trinity Alps, Red Buttes, Siskiyou, Russian, Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, North Fork, Yolla Bolly - Middle Eel and Chanchelulla Wildernesses are found here. Spectacular canyons are carved through the rugged mountains by the Klamath, Trinity, Upper Sacramento, Scott, Shasta, Salmon, Mad, McCloud and Eel Rivers. Among the many scenic wonders are majestic and mystical 14,162 ft. Mount Shasta, spectacular and secluded Trinity Lake, Burney Falls, Lava Beds National Monument, Ahjumawi Lava Springs, and Clear Lake, Lower Klamath Lake, and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges.
This outdoor mecca attracts modern adventurers with worldclass whitewater rafting, hiking, fishing, mountain and rock climbing, biking, skiing and winter sports, birdwatching, goldpanning, golf, hunting, ballooning, and more. There is 200 miles of Pacific Crest Trail and the largest gathering of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. From lava tubes and ice caves to glaciers and sheer cliffs, from rangeland valleys to treeless mountain peaks, from Class V rapids to secluded and serene lakes, the outdoor possibilities are endless.
I hope that this book of scenes from the Jefferson Territory will encourage you to explore the region yourself and to share with residents the pride and respect they feel for this land. Whether you actively engage in the myriad of outdoor adventures available or just enjoy the spectacular scenery and the laid-back way of life, I’m sure you will appreciate the unique geography and culture. It is a part of America that is disappearing and that needs to be preserved.”
26 page, full-color booklet
