Oroville in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County

Bidwell Bar Bridge

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 15, 2012

1. The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County Marker

Inscription.
To commemorate The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County planted at this spot by Judge Joseph Lewis in 1856.

The Bidwell Bar Bridge, first suspension bridge of California, transported from New York via Cape Horn 1853. Completed 1856.

Dedicated to the pioneers of California by the Board of Supervisors of Butte County; Gold of Ophir Parlor No. 190 N.D.G.W.; Argonaut Parlor No. 8 N.S.G.W., Nov. 27, 1926.

Erected 1926 by Native Sons of the Golden West Agronaut Parlor No. 8 & Native Daughters of the Golden West Gold of Ophir Parlor No. 190. (Marker Number 314.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Historic Trees, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 39° 32.256′ N, 121° 27.292′ W. Marker is in Oroville, California, in Butte County. Marker is on Bidwell Canyon Road. This marker is located in the parking lot of the Bidwell Bar Boat Launch at the end of Bidwell Canyon Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oroville CA 95966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Bidwell's Bar (here, next to this marker); Bidwell Bar Bridge and Tollhouse (a few steps from this marker); Autumn Harvest (approx. 0.6 miles away); Oroville Dam (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Mother Orange Tree of Butte County (approx. 3.2 miles away); Northern California's Oldest Citrus Tree (approx. 3.2 miles away); Long's Bar (approx. 3.7 miles away); Morris Ravine School (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oroville.

More about this marker. This marker has been relocated from its original placement at Bidwell Bar which has been inundated by Lake Oroville.

Regarding The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County. In 1939 this was designated California Historical Landmark No. 314 - OLD SUSPENSION BRIDGE. “The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County was planted at this spot by Judge Joseph Lewis in 1856. The Bidwell Bar Bridge, first suspension bridge of California, was transported from New York via Cape Horn 1853 and was completed 1856. Its site is now inundated by Oroville Reservoir.”

Also see . . . History of Bidwell - Bidwell The Town. In 1848, John Bidwell discovered gold at a site on the Middle Fork of the Feather RIver
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 15, 2012

2. The Mother Orange Tree of Butte County Marker
Sibling of the Mother Orange Tree in the background.
that became known as Bidwell's Bar. When word reached the eastern United States and the world that gold had been discovered in California, this location in northern California became one of the primary destinations for the gold seekers. (Submitted on December 5, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Bidwell Bar Suspension Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer

3. Bidwell Bar Suspension Bridge

Site of Bidwell Bar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, November 15, 2012

4. Site of Bidwell Bar

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.