Absaroka (proposed state) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Absaroka
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proposed U.S. state
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| State of Absaroka | ||
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| Nickname(s):
None
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Map of the United States with Absaroka highlighted
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| Country | United States | |
| Admitted to the Union | (Not admitted) | |
| Capital | Sheridan (proposed 1939) | |
| Largest city | Rapid City | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 62,800 sq mi (162,700 km2) | |
| Area rank | 22nd (hypothetical) | |
| Dimensions | ||
| • Length | 460 mi (740 km) | |
| • Width | 210 mi (340 km) | |
| Elevation | unknown ft (unknown m) | |
| Highest elevation | 13,775 ft (4,199 m) | |
| Lowest elevation | unknown ft (unknown m) | |
| Population | ||
| • Total | 367,019 | |
| • Rank | 51st of 51 (hypothetical) | |
| • Density | 5.84/sq mi (5.84/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 50th of 51 (hypothetical) | |
| Language | ||
| Time zone | UTC-07:00 (Mountain) | |
| Latitude | 43° N to 45° 56′ N | |
| Longitude | 102° W to 111°3′ W | |
Absaroka was a proposed area in the United States, that would have comprised parts of the states of Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming, that contemplated secession and statehood in 1939. Absaroka is from the Crow word meaning "children of the large-beaked bird", also the namesake of the Absaroka mountain range.
History
The region's complaints came from ranchers and independent farmers in remote parts of the three states, who resented the New Deal and Democratic control of state governments, especially the government of Wyoming. One of the leaders of the secessionist movement was A.R. Swickard, the street commissioner of Sheridan, Wyoming, who appointed himself "governor" and started hearing grievances in the "capital" of Sheridan. Increasing tourism to the region was a motivation for the proposed state because Mount Rushmore (constructed 1927–1941) would be within Absaroka according to some plans.
In a craze for state secession felt by the public, state automobile license plates bearing the name were distributed as well as pictures of Miss Absaroka 1939.
The movement was unsuccessful and fairly short-lived. The chief record of its existence comes from the Federal Writers' Project, which included a story about the plan as an example of Western eccentricity.
