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- Throughout American history, many states have been proposed.
- One proposed state would have occupied much of the Western US.
- Multiple proposals to break up Texas have been discussed.
- Also: 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever
While all of us know that the United States has 50 states, you might be surprised to learn this number could have been far larger. Over the nation’s history, dozens of proposed states have failed to materialize. Had even some succeeded, the U.S. could have had more than 60 states. While a few plans gained traction or congressional attention, none ultimately passed.
This post was updated on October 14, 2025 to clarify the distinction between the Kansas/Colorado Jefferson and the California/Oregon Jefferson, as well as the Delmarva discussions.
12. Jefferson
The proposed capital of the State of Jefferson.
In 1859, a vote was held to create a state known as Jefferson from parts of western Kansas Territory and modern-day Colorado. It was a self-declared territory formed by miners before Congress created the Colorado Territory (1861). Despite an informal constitution and a provisional governor (Robert W. Steele), it was ultimately disbanded.
11. Superior
Creating a state out of upper Michigan would have made sense.
A one-time vote was held to create a separate state using the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and breaking off from the rest of the state. Multiple proposals surfaced, and other potential names included Sylvania and Ontonagon, though never came up for a formal vote.
10. Delmarva
Parts of multiple states would have been used to create Delmarva state.
The idea of a “State of Delmarva” combining parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore has surfaced occasionally but has never been formally proposed to Congress. The idea involved Maryland and Virginia giving land to Delaware.
9. Absaroka
Absaroka had defined boundaries as a proposed state.
In 1939, parts of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota attempted to secede and create their part of the country known as Absaroka. Sadly, a vote never came before Congress to vote for statehood, but Absaroka license plates were also made, and a Governor was appointed.
8. Sequoyah
The state of Sequoyah developed its own seal in preparation for becoming a state.
In 1905, Native Americans sought to create a part of the U.S. that included parts of eastern Oklahoma. The government had relocated the Cherokee tribe to this land, but ultimately, President Teddy Roosevelt blocked the idea politically and, instead, merged Sequoyah with Oklahoma statehood.
7. Lincoln
Multiple attempts have been made to break Texas into two states.
Multiple proposals to divide Texas into smaller states (sometimes called Lincoln, Jefferson, or Matagorda) surfaced after 1845, but none ever gained traction in Congress. One attempt proposed creating a state with the land south and west of the Colorado River. However, this never received a full vote and ultimately fizzled out.
6. South California
Attempts to set up a state in Southern California fell flat.
In 2011, a proposal for Riverside County proposed that South California break off and become its own state. The effort was declared to help boost the local economy, but the idea was met with lukewarm excitement, and the governor shot down the plan.
5. Deseret
The State of Desert was close to fruition before Utah was formed.
Proposed by the Church of Latter-Day Saints in 1849, Deseret would have been composed of Arizona, Utah, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The land would have included the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, though the proposal died in 1850 when the Utah Territory was opened.
4. Westsylvania
Westsylvania would have been a state using land from West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
After declaring independence from England, parts of West Virginia and western Pennsylvania declared their own state, Westsylvania. Congress ignored the petition for statehood and voted to give the same territory to surrounding states.
3. Jefferson
Jefferson would have used land that was then known as the Colorado Territory.
In late 1941, residents of northern California and southern Oregon declared a proposed “State of Jefferson.” Unfortunately, support to establish a new state failed across four different proposals and ultimately stopped coming up for a vote in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
2. Franklin
Franklin would have been based in parts of North Carolina.
In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, North Carolina sold some land in April 1784. Out of fear that the government would sell the land to France or Spain to pay off war debt, residents of this region declared themselves living in the Stake of Franklin, which lasted four years before rejoining North Carolina, and a clause was added to the Constitution.
1. Transylvania
Transylvania would have used land in Kentucky and Tennessee.
The best name for a potential American state, Transylvania, could have been another star on the flag. Transylvania was the unofficial 14th colony made up of modern-day western/southeastern Kentucky across northern Tennessee. Unfortunately, the plan to purchase it was illegal under British law before Virginia reclaimed the land.
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