Yuba County Historic Resources Commission

04/22/2026

Why not here? Yuba County needs its own history museum. Historic libraries, including those in Petaluma (pictured here), San Luis Obispo and others, have evolved into modern-day museums and cultural centers while retaining their historic character.

02/06/2026

Great turn out last evening at the 175th birthday celebration for Marysville.

01/13/2026

01/13/2026

Lots of celebrating coming in February in honor of Marysville's 175th birthday. Come out and join other history-minded folks while learning a little more about where we live.

12/14/2025

This week, the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission joined a group of local history enthusiasts for a guided tour of the Packard Library. Our Chair, Sue, presented a thorough and engaging history of the building, highlighting its significance to the community.

The purpose of the tour was to brainstorm potential locations for a future Yuba County Museum of History. Establishing a dedicated place to store, preserve, and share our local history is of great importance to the community, and this effort marks an exciting step toward that goal.

If you’re interested in getting involved, please attend the next meeting:

Monday Dec. 15th at 6:30
211 17th Street Marysville, CA
(The Veterans Memorial Center)

11/18/2025

176 years ago in Yuba County history (1849) opened with but little visible improvement in the future city of Marysville, and without many additions to its roll of inhabitants. The whole current of travel was toward the mines on the upper parts of the rivers, and few considered it necessary to remain more than a day or two at the old ranch on the Yuba. On the 4th of January, Cordua sold to Michael C. Nye and William Foster, for $20,000, his remaining one-half interest in the business and possessions of the firm of Cordua & Company, Charles Covillaud retaining the other half. Nye and Foster also put into the partnership their previous possessions, in view of which they each were allotted a third interest in the joint business. Nye managed the ranch and stock business, while Covillaud had a store at Sicard Flat, and Foster one near Foster's Bar. The name of the main ranch was now changed to "Nye's Ranch." The firm found a ready market for all of their beef in the mines, or with travelers to and from the diggings. In April 1849, the estimated amount of stock on the ranch was 5000 head of cattle, 600 horses, 500 hogs, and a small collection of poultry. Cordua, having sold his property, moved to the mines, opening a store at Cordua Bar. It was not long before he had spent all of the money paid him by Nye and Foster. (History of Yuba and Sutter Counties by Peter J. Delay, 1923, Pic of Theodor Cordua)

11/13/2025

We are sorry to report that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Cheim Family Legacy history talk scheduled for this Saturday, November 15 at 10am at the Burrows Center for the Arts in Marysville has been postponed. Watch for a new date early in 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience.

11/11/2025

11/05/2025

The Cheim Family Legacy – A History Talk and Tour

The Yuba County Historic Resources Commission presents The Cheim Family Legacy on Saturday, November 15th at 10:00 AM at Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture’s historic Burrows Center for the Arts. The address is 624 E Street in downtown Marysville.

Join Commission members for a fascinating presentation exploring the deep and enduring contributions of the Cheim family, one of Marysville’s most influential pioneer families. Four generations of Cheims helped shape the economic, civic, and cultural life of Yuba County. Their family business, Union Lumber and Hardware, established in the 1850s, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating hardware store in California, serving as a cornerstone of the community for over 150 years.

Beyond business, the Cheim family were innovators and community builders. They founded Yuba County’s first airport, advanced early aviation and agricultural development, and maintained family ties to the Donner Party’s Murphy family, linking their legacy to one of the most remarkable and enduring stories in California’s pioneer history.

The event will feature rare photographs, family archives, and stories tracing the family’s evolution from 19th-century settlers to 20th-century civic leaders. Following the talk, attendees will be invited on a guided walking tour highlighting historic sites associated with the Cheim family throughout downtown Marysville including the current Union Lumber Company.
Light refreshments will be served. The event is free, but donations to support the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission will be gladly accepted.

Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, the region’s nonprofit arts agency, is proud to partner with the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission in celebrating and preserving the unique heritage of our community. Together, the organizations work to highlight the people, places, and stories that have shaped Yuba County’s cultural landscape—bridging local history and the arts to inspire future generations.

About the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission: The Commission is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Yuba County. Through research, education, and public outreach, the Commission identifies and safeguards historic sites, buildings, and artifacts that tell the story of the county’s diverse past. By fostering community partnerships and encouraging preservation-minded development, the Commission ensures that Yuba County’s history remains a vital, visible, and inspiring part of its future.

About YSAC: Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties. The local affiliate for Yuba and Sutter of the California Arts Council, its programs include Arts in Education, Veterans Initiatives in the Arts, Arts in Corrections, Very Special Arts Festival, the Yuba-Sutter Big Band, Center Stage Youth Performing Arts, Convergence Theatre Co., and many more.