Oroville, California past is a treasure trove of history, some of which had a major impact on the early growth of the State of California. Situated on the Feather River, gold was discovered at Bidwell's Bar in 1848. This was one of the first mining sites in early California that contributed to the mid-nineteenth century's gold fever that brought thousands of prospectors to the area seeking their fortunes. That rough and tumble mining camp past set the stage for the emergence of a permanent community that changed it's original name of Ophir (Egyptian for gold) to Oroville. Rounding out the diversity of it's history: the Chinese laborers and their remaining temple of historical significance; the story of Ishi, the last of the Yahi Indians; and the building of Oroville Dam which created Lake Oroville.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Oroville presently has an urban area population of 55,000. It's economic base represents 11 different sectors that range from 2% to 15% of the total. The top employers are manufactures and Butte County Government as Oroville is the county seat.

Outdoor recreation abounds locally. With it's foothill location, Oroville also provides access to unlimited mountain recreation areas. The community is located about 18 miles southeast of Chico, 40 miles north of Marysville/Yuba City and 90 miles north of Sacramento.

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Orland, California is located on Interstate 5 approximately 100 miles north of Sacramento, 20 miles west of Chico and 50 miles south of Redding. Orland's agricultural roots, literally and figuratively, extend back to the later 19th century. Agriculture is the primary economic engine of the area. Crops include almonds, walnuts, olives, prunes, oranges, kiwis, pistachios and sugar beets. Dairy and thoroughbred horses also thrive. To support the grower base, ag related industries abound in the form of processing facilities for nuts, sugar beets, olives, citrus, prunes and dairy products. Water to growers is supplied by a local irrigation district backed by water storage at Stoney Gorge Reservoir and Black Butte lake.

The community also offers a small, private plane airport, services to support vehicle travelers on I-5, a growing commercial support base for the community and a quiet, rural lifestyle. It's proximity to the Sacramento River, Black Butte Lake, Stoney Gorge Reservoir, and the Mendocino National Forest offer many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

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about Orland, visit these
informational websites:

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