The State of Jefferson: Beyond Myth and Mindset, Toward Enhanced Conceptualization of a Region

The State of Jefferson, a ruggedly beautiful region consisting swaths southern Oregon and northern California, is often described as “mythical” or “state mind.” Introducing this issue HJSR, article lays out the basic regional features Jefferson—its topography, rurality, traditional reliance on resource-extractive industries, associations with secessionism—and poses question: How might we conceptualize Jefferson more than just mind”? In discussing how an object study has been approached by geographers, author highlights importance enhancing manner in which narrated. Toward that end, two geographic metaphors are offered to frame understandings discussions Jefferson.