Archives a reality

After more than a decade of planning and politicking, Butte County has a new Hall of Records and will hold a ribbon-cutting celebration today (Thursday, Jan. 21) from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The 35,637-square-foot building located on Nelson Avenue in Oroville includes climate-controlled storage areas for sensitive historical records and improved technology to make those records more accessible. The cost to build the facility, which is home to the County Archives as well as the Clerk, Recorder and Elections offices, was $9.5 million, most of which was covered by an $8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The hall officially opened Dec. 21, and will close for business at 4 p.m. for the grand opening, which will include presentations by Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly, county Clerk-Recorder Candace Grubbs and Chico State history professor Michael Magliari.