I never visited Paradise before the Camp Fire. Like most, I saw the impact on the community, but the reality of the event has forever changed the area. The Paradise Depot Museum has become one of the few outposts keeping the local history alive, and is doing a great job. Parking is limited and associated with the city park.
The museum is small and tucked into one of the old depots along the railroad connecting Paradise with Chico. This rail line delivered lumber to a matchstick factory in Chico. Fire is a common theme in California! The museum has a HO model of the railroad and artifacts from the era.
After the fire, this museum now holds a lot more exhibits from the Gold Nugget Museum including a lot of the teddy bears. It is now a central repository for the city and is a good sign that Paradise will never die. I am sure the Camp Fire will eventually be part of the rugged history of the area memorialized in museums like this.
While the museum is small, the feel is huge with a personal touch. These museums dot the California gold country, but the Paradise Depot Museum takes on a new role keeping the history of a bruised community together. Bruised, but not broken. Rebuilding the Ridge includes preserving the past. Just don't even think about climbing on that caboose! read more