welcome community history arts
O
ver the decades, the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce sponsored a variety of signs welcoming visitors to Paradise. Until the Skyway opened in 1950, signs were located some distance from the Ridge. The Chamber lobbied the state for many years to build a modern highway to shorten the route. The Skyway opened to two-way traffic on July 30, 1950.
A new sign rises “No matter where we were coming from, when we passed the sign, we knew we were nearly home.”– Bret Matteis After the destruction of the iconic welcome sign in the Camp Fire of 2018, a committee came together to seek community input and funding to raise a new sign. This effort was directed by Bret Matteis, Former Resident, Director of Construction and Development, Oxford Suites Hotels and Charles Brooks, Resident, Founder, Rebuild Paradise Foundation.
Bret Matteis grew up in Paradise and In 1969, local contractor moved to Oregon after graduating from Charles M. Todd presented Chico State. When Bret saw the images of plans to “erect a sign that the “Welcome to Paradise Sign” burning, will afford a ‘Welcome’ he immediately reached out through social in a larger dimension and media for assistance in rebuilding the more fitting materials than sign. Soon Bret was in touch with several the present existing one.” Paradise residents pledging support. In Todd designed the new sign January 2019 the first ad-hoc committee with its bandsaw halo and met to discuss a community-driven design timbers from a 1914 train process, fundraising, engineering, righttrestle. Funding came from of-way clearances, permits, maintenance community organizations. and ownership agreements, bids, and From 1972 until November construction. With his construction 8, 2018 the distinctive sign welcomed all with the hope The new sign features the original bandsaw halo, salvaged by background, Bret marshalled the project to completion. that they “may find Paradise local photographer Douglas Keister. to be all its name implies.” A special thanks to Paradise Rotary Club and Paradise Recreation and Park District. They stepped up to take on ownership and management of the new Paradise Gateway Sign.
chamber
events
recreation
History of the iconic “Welcome to Paradise” halo sign on Skyway
Paradise Post, 1968: scale model of the 1972 sign atop the massive timbers used in the sign’s construction. On April 21, 2022, a standing-room only crowd attended the dedication of the Left to right: Floyd Bishop, new Welcome Sign, celebrating the hope, strength and perseverance of the Ray Stryker and Charles Todd. people of the Paradise Ridge. Photo: U.T.B. Studios for Gold Nugget Museum.
Construction of the orginal halo sign, February 1972.
46............................................................................................................... PARADISE RISING Resource Guide for the Ridge
2022/23
