Oroville has been shaped by two major forces since the 1800s--the Gold Rush and agriculture.
A boon to the state overall, the Gold Rush brought thousands of settlers to Oroville specifically since it was established as the home base of navigation of the Feather River to supply gold miners. After the gold industry dwindled, agriculture, and in particular olives and nut production, took its place.
Throughout Oroville today, you can find murals that reflect this history at the foundation of the city.
Below is a partial list of public art throughout and near Downtown Oroville–try to find them all (and let us know if you find others not on our list)!
If you’re interested in learning more about public art in Oroville, visit the Oroville Arts Commission page.
Montgomery, which extends from Highway 70 to the Feather River, is the main street in Downtown Oroville and presents several large-scale murals that pay tribute to the city's past and present.
Miners Alley cuts through Downtown Oroville, running parallel to Montgomery from Pine St. to Downer St., and throughout you can find murals that highlight the city's Gold Rush past.
One street south of Miners Alley, find more Gold Rush era-themed murals on Bird Street.
Outside of the main streets, you can find other murals tucked away throughout Downtown Oroville.