James Trapp

The James G. Blaine Society was an unofficial organization established in the early 1960s by author Stewart Holbrook. Its primary objective was to discourage people from moving to Oregon, thereby addressing concerns about rapid population growth and its impact on the state's environment. The society was humorously named after James G. Blaine, a prominent U.S. politician who famously never visited Oregon, as a way to encourage others to follow his example of avoidance. Despite having no formal structure, leaders, or membership dues, the society gained traction and was frequently mentioned in media during the 1970s and 1980s. Its informal, tongue-in-cheek nature resonated with many Oregonians who shared concerns about unchecked development and environmental preservation. Later, figures like Governor Tom McCall and author Ron Abell continued to articulate the society's sentiment, further popularizing its message through public statements and merchandise.

The James G. Blaine Society emerged in the early 1960s, conceived by writer Stewart Holbrook. Holbrook, known for his humorous style and long tenure at The Oregonian, was a conservationist deeply concerned about Oregon's accelerating population increase and the subsequent unplanned development that threatened its natural landscape. To draw attention to these issues, he created the fictional society, satirically named after James G. Blaine, a politician who had never set foot in Oregon. The intention was to humorously inspire others to avoid the state, mirroring Blaine's own lack of visitation. This satirical approach, initially detailed in a 1962 magazine article, aimed to highlight genuine anxieties about the state's future.

Following Holbrook's death, author Ralph Friedman briefly championed the society's cause, countering promotional literature about Oregon with a humorous, albeit bleak, portrayal of life in the state. A significant boost came in 1971 when Oregon Governor Tom McCall publicly invited tourists to visit but advised them not to stay, a sentiment widely covered by national media. This remark, along with the subsequent popularity of "ungreeting cards" and bumper stickers bearing slogans like "Don't Californicate Oregon," effectively captured the society's anti-immigration spirit. In the early 1970s, Ron Abell attempted to formalize the society by incorporating it and issuing membership cards, though official membership remained limited. Abell, acting as the society's spokesman, continued to garner media attention for the group's message.

By 1970, a Smithsonian magazine article suggested that a majority of Oregon residents identified with the James G. Blaine Society, speculating on its potential to become the most popular organization in the state's history. While media interest waned by the late 1980s, the society remains a recognized part of Oregon's historical and cultural landscape, with many residents still familiar with its existence. The Oregon Historical Society maintains a collection of documents related to the society, including correspondence and membership records contributed by Ron Abell, underscoring its enduring, albeit niche, place in the state's narrative.

“Oregon is a lovely place to visit, but it is a mess to live in. After the tourists have left, it rains like crazy here. Mosquitoes are big as Sherman tanks. The people are unfriendly... and most of us are starving... Our freeways are jammed tighter than scorched rice pudding. Our smog is awful... some days you can't see from Molalla to Silverton. Fuel bills are so high most people just build igloos in the back yard and spend the winter there... There are no fish in the streams... and nobody has seen a rose around here for years. Actually what happens in the summer when tourists come is that we paint our hills green, put up false silhouettes for mountains, borrow a few lakes from Washington and California, and hire some actors to look cheerful. So... spread the word. Oregon is a great place to visit, but no place to call home.”

“but for heaven's sake don't stay.”

“Governor Tom Lawson McCall, on behalf of the citizens of the Great State of Oregon, cordially invites you to visit ...Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, or Afghanistan...”

“We had a good summer last year. It came on a Sunday so lots of people got to enjoy it.”