Donna Lenhoff

Oroville, California Donna Lenhoff

Oroville, California, has always been a land of innovation and resource. While the Feather River was dredged for millions in gold in the late-19th century, the climate of Oroville was discovered to be well suited to growing oranges and olives, as well for a viable logging industry. One of America's first electric railroads passed through the town, and in 1937, the Feather River Highway stretched all the way to Reno. In 1968, the largest dam in the nation was constructed, and that feat of engineering provided electricity to a large number of California residents. Captured here in over 200 vintage images, James Lenhoff shows readers a California town that boomed with the Gold Rush and today remains a thriving community. Showcasing photographs from personal and community collections, the images in this book portray the residents that made Oroville what it is today, from the famous miners to the local farmers. Here are stunning vintage and rarely seen photographs of Oroville, including the foothills, the Feather River Canyon, and the building of its famous dam.