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Paradise Welcome Sign
History of the iconic “Welcome to Paradise” halo sign on Skyway
Over 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. In 1969, local contractor Charles M. Todd presented plans to “erect a sign that will afford a ‘Welcome’ in a larger dimension and more fitting materials than the present existing one.” Todd designed the new sign with its bandsaw halo and timbers from a 1914 train trestle. Funding came from community organizations. From 1972 until November 8, 2018 the distinctive sign welcomed all with the hope that they “may find Paradise to be all its name implies.” The new sign features the original bandsaw halo, salvaged by local photographer Douglas Keister.
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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 moved to Oregon after graduating from Chico State. When Bret saw the images of the “Welcome to Paradise Sign” burning, he immediately reached out through social media for assistance in rebuilding the sign. Soon Bret was in touch with several Paradise residents pledging support. In January 2019 the first ad-hoc committee met to discuss a community-driven design process, fundraising, engineering, rightof-way clearances, permits, maintenance and ownership agreements, bids, and construction. With his construction background, Bret marshalled the project to completion.
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.
On April 21, 2022, a standing-room only crowd attended the dedication of the new Welcome Sign, celebrating the hope, strength and perseverance of the people of the Paradise Ridge. Photo: U.T.B. Studios for Gold Nugget Museum. Paradise Post, 1968: scale model of the 1972 sign atop the massive timbers used in the sign’s construction. Left to right: Floyd Bishop, Ray Stryker and Charles Todd. Construction of the orginal halo sign, February 1972.
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