Painted on the Gridley Lumber Company on Main Street by area artist, Jim Stukey in 2005, the Gridley mural depicts the early and rich history of Gridley of when it was designated as the largest hay-shipping center in the world. It was so proclaimed in geography books of the day.

 

The oil scene represents the time when the discovery of oil gave a boost to the town's economy in 1918. Some of the wells at that time came in at 600 barrels a day.

 

In 1886, with the coming of the railroad, the town was laid out. The Santa Fe trains made overnight stops in Gridley to use a water well, which was dug for the railroad. The well was 56 feet deep and 36 feet in diameter, the second largest hand dug well in the world.  The Santa Fe railroad filled in the well in 1974 when the tracks were removed.

 

More of the history of Gridley can be found at the Gridley branch library located  at 512 Main.