Historical Markers in Butte County, California
14 Mile House
1879 Site of Messilla Valley School
Autumn Harvest
Bald Rock Dome
Beckwourth Trail Berry Creek
Bidwell Bar Bridge and Tollhouse
Bidwell's Bar
Black Bart, the PO8
Braselton Home Site
Butte County Court House at Oroville
Butte County Courthouse Bricks
Centerville Cemetery
Centerville School
Cherokee
Chico Cemetery G.A.R. Monument
Chico Elks Lodge No. 423 Veterans Memorial
Chico Forestry Station and Nursery
Chico World War I Memorial
Chinese Temple
Completion of 4th Railroad in California
County Community Well
Deputy Sheriff Randal Eugene Jennings
Dogtown
Dunstone Memorial Hall
Edison Building
First Banking Institution in Ophir
First Liberty Pole In The West
First Pharmacy
Forbestown Lodge No. 50 F.& A.M
General John and Annie K. Bidwell Gravesite
Gianella Bridge
Gray Nurse Hardware
Hamilton
Historic Oroville Inn
Hooker Oak
Inskip Hotel
Jewish Cemetery
Katie Thompson Mattie Thompson Josie Campbell
Lake Madrone Cemetery
Liberty Pole
Long's Bar
Lovelock
Magalia Community Church / The Magalia Schoolhouse Bell
Morris Ravine School
Mother Orange Tree of Butte County
Native Food Preparation
Nelsons Bar
Northern California's Oldest Citrus Tree
Old Paradise
Old Paradise Depot
Oregon City
Oregon City Cemetery
Oroville Carnegie Library
Oroville Cemetery
Oroville Chinese Cemetery
Oroville Dam
Oroville Masonic Temple
Oroville Municipal Airport
Oroville State Theatre
Paradise Pioneers
Paradise Veterans Memorial
PFC. Steven J. Walberg-Riotto
Pioneer Cemetery
Pioneer Miners Of Thompson Flat District
Rancho Del Arroyo Chico
Samuel Neal
Site of 1st Sawmill
Site of Boehme & Heep Saloon
Site of First Oroville Bank
Site of the First Flour Mill
Stirling City
The American
The Dogtown Nugget
The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell
The Last Yahi Indian
The Life and Times of John Bidwell
The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County
Town of Paradise Memorial Trailway
United States Submarine Crews Memorial
W.W. Durham House
Yankee Hill
“Magalia Depot & Butte County Railroad”
About Butte County
Butte County Timeline
Butte County, located in Northern California, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Maidu and Konkow people. These tribes thrived in the fertile valleys and lush forests of the region, relying on hunting, gathering, and trading to sustain their communities.
In the mid-19th century, the California Gold Rush brought a wave of settlers and prospectors to Butte County. In 1849, gold was discovered along the Feather River, leading to a rapid influx of people seeking their fortunes. The town of Bidwell's Bar was established as one of the first mining camps in the area, attracting thousands of miners in search of gold. Other mining communities, such as Oroville and Cherokee, also emerged during this time.
As mining declined in the late 1800s, agriculture became the backbone of Butte County's economy. The fertile soil and favorable climate made it ideal for growing crops such as almonds, olives, and citrus. The establishment of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s further facilitated agricultural growth, as it provided a means to transport goods to markets throughout California and beyond.
Butte County has faced various challenges throughout its history. In 2018, the Camp Fire, one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California's history, devastated the county, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. However, the community has shown resilience, coming together to support one another in the recovery and rebuilding process.
Today, Butte County is home to a vibrant mix of industries, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and tourism. With its natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a strong sense of community, the county continues to thrive while preserving its rich historical heritage.
In the mid-19th century, the California Gold Rush brought a wave of settlers and prospectors to Butte County. In 1849, gold was discovered along the Feather River, leading to a rapid influx of people seeking their fortunes. The town of Bidwell's Bar was established as one of the first mining camps in the area, attracting thousands of miners in search of gold. Other mining communities, such as Oroville and Cherokee, also emerged during this time.
As mining declined in the late 1800s, agriculture became the backbone of Butte County's economy. The fertile soil and favorable climate made it ideal for growing crops such as almonds, olives, and citrus. The establishment of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s further facilitated agricultural growth, as it provided a means to transport goods to markets throughout California and beyond.
Butte County has faced various challenges throughout its history. In 2018, the Camp Fire, one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California's history, devastated the county, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. However, the community has shown resilience, coming together to support one another in the recovery and rebuilding process.
Today, Butte County is home to a vibrant mix of industries, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and tourism. With its natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a strong sense of community, the county continues to thrive while preserving its rich historical heritage.
Butte County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Butte County, California.
- 1850: Butte County is established on February 18 as one of the original counties of California.
- 1857: The town of Oroville is incorporated on January 3.
- 1862: The Bidwell Bar Bridge, the first suspension bridge in California, is completed over the Feather River.
- 1904: The Western Pacific Railroad reaches Oroville, linking the county to national railroad networks.
- 1968: The Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the United States, is completed on the Feather River.
- 1987: The Honey Run Covered Bridge, a historic wooden covered bridge, is destroyed in a fire.
- 2018: The Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California's history, devastates parts of Butte County.