Discover Porterville through traces of its history and outdoor activities. The Historical Museum is connected to the site of a passenger station built in 1913; the Barn Theater has hosted local volunteer productions since 1948. There is also a distinctive mansard roof, trails for walking and cycling, and several parks.
History, Theater, and Architecture
The Porterville Historical Museum opened in 1965 on the site of the passenger station built in 1913. The dates mark two different milestones: the station’s construction in 1913 and the museum’s opening in 1965. The outdoor grounds feature historic fire engines, wagons, and agricultural equipment, as well as native plants and a cross-section of a giant sequoia. The exhibits therefore range from vehicles and agriculture to plants and a distinctive tree detail. The outdoor exhibit may gradually change over time.
The Porterville Barn Theater is a community theater that has hosted local volunteer productions since 1948. The Zalud House offers a different cultural highlight: it was built in the Second Empire style and features a distinctive mansard roof. A mansard roof has a break in its slope; its characteristic silhouette makes the roof shape a defining feature of the house. Together, the theater, museum grounds, and architecture offer different ways to experience Porterville’s culture.
Walking and Cycling Trails
The Tule River Parkway Trail is a 2.2-mile trail for walking and cycling. It runs from Fallen Heroes Park on Plano Street to Highway 65. Its length and endpoints give you a concrete reference for planning your route.
The Santa Fe Byway is an active transportation corridor for cycling, jogging, running, and walking. It runs through downtown along a repurposed Santa Fe Railroad route. The routes differ in their key details: the Parkway Trail has a stated length and endpoints, while the Byway is defined by its downtown location and several modes of travel.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Zalud Park has two covered pavilions, four picnic areas, and a restroom. Bartlett Park is east of Porterville; the Tule River borders it to the south, and Lake Success Dam to the east. Its amenities include seventeen covered seating shelters, four restrooms, three playgrounds, and a large sports field on the west side. The amenities at both parks may change over time.
At Success Lake
The public lands and waters at Success Lake are managed for wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Activities may include water skiing, sailing, and recreational boating.
Discover more destinations: Visalia, Tulare, Three Rivers, Pixley, Springville, Lindsay, Sequoia National Park, Dinuba.
Return to the main travel overview: Tulare.
