Our organization’s motto of “People Helping People” is of our front most goal. The Oroville Eagles Aerie #196 was instituted on February 2,1902. It began it's life with 64 charter members. The Aerie membership today consist of 600+ men and boasts a Ladies Auxiliary of over 239 members.
Of the 64 charter members, many left behind descendants who are Eagle members today. Among the more prominent charters are the first Aerie President , W.T. Baldwin. who was the founder and co-owner of the Butte county title company of Oroville, and who's grandson, Donald K. Baldwin, was President of this company. Another charter member was U.M. Damon, who was the grandfather of former Oroville mayor Eugene F. Sylva and his brother, Leslie D Sylva , who are both Past worthy Presidents of the Aerie. Many other charter members went into various areas of notoriety in community service.
The first official written records of the Oroville Aerie were destroyed due to fire and flooding in the early 1930's. Much of the early history was reconstructed from the active members of the era such as; Walter Sharkey, who was the Aerie secretary for many years; George Lares, a Past Worthy Aerie President; Vern P. Tannehill, also a Past Worthy President and who also served as Aerie secretary for an Eagle record of 42 years; and Glen R. Comer, another Past Worthy President, Trustee, 55 year member, and co-founder of the official lodge publication, "The Oroville Eagle" which has continued monthly for over 45 years.

The first Eagle meeting was located in the old I.O.O.F. Hall, which was located on Montgomery St. where the Yellow Cab Company used to be located. In the 1940's the lodge moved up the street to the Veteran's Hall, also on Montgomery St. Desirous of having their own property and lodge hall prompted t he Eagles to purchase a small two story house and lot, located between the Veteran's Hall and the Native Sons & Daughters Pioneer Museum. This house was completely renovated and opened for the lodge meetings and activities in January 1948. Later on in 1954 the Bank of America building  and property located at the corner of Myers and Montgomery Streets was placed for sale. the Eagles decided to use their 2 story house for a down payment and purchased what is now known as the Eagle's Hall. A few years later the "Nicholas building " which was adjacent to the Hall became vacant and was subsequently purchased by the Eagles. Through many volunteer hours and donations of building materials the buildings were transformed into what is often referred to as the finest Eagle meeting facility in the state of California. Its many features include 2 meeting halls, 2 dining rooms , 2 kitchens, a main floor club room, a basement clubroom, and a secretaries office. after some 30 years the Eagles Hall was officially dedicated in all its glory during a 3 day celebration on May 19,20,21, 1978. Participating in the dedication program were many Eagle State Aerie and Grand Aerie officers and representatives, Butte County Board of Supervisors, the Oroville City Council, and the Mayor of Oroville, who at the time was Eugene F. Sylva.