Gilbert Gable

Gilbert Elledy Gable (June 1, 1886-December 2, 1941) was a public relations man who became mayor of Port Orford, Oregon in the 1930s. In 1941, he became the center of the ultimately failed movement to create the state of Jefferson from counties in southern Oregon and northern California. Gable died of a heart attack on December 2, 1941. While various other people created a quasi-government and attempted to continue without Gable, the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 killed the momentum for statehood.

Gable's motivations are debated, with some arguing he was sincere in his goal of creating a new state, and others suggesting he was engaged in a cynical publicity stunt in order to help recover from certain financial problems.

Gilbert Gable in State of Jefferson
Gilbert Gable served at the Governor of Jefferson from 1934 to 1941. Gable's primary focus was on his hometown, Port Orford. Thanks to Gable's efforts, and free use of various New Deal programs, the roads to Port Orford were paved, a railroad line went to Port Orford, and a breakwater was established, among other things. Jefferson State Highway 71 was known as the Gable Memorial Highway. He died a few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. While he officially died of indigestion, he was known to be a heavy drinker. His efforts insure Port Orford was able so ship men and weapons for the war effort.