Monthly Archives: March 2015

July 5th, 1867: You desire to know where is my home “in town or country?” I live not in but adjacent to the town of Chico — as follows: So wrote John to Annie after he returned from Washington to … Continue reading →

One more excerpt from John Bidwell’s letter to Miss E. Boyd: Here the sun’s rays come blistering down the deep and narrow gorge where seats together all the nations of the earth. . . . There’s nothing here to please … Continue reading →

After telling Miss Boyd about the beauties of a California spring, John Bidwell went on to describe the changes of summer. . . . hold now — let time speed but one month. The fragrant and beautiful flowers are dead, … Continue reading →

In 1851 John Bidwell wrote to a young lady of his acquaintance, “My Friend Miss E. Boyd,” describing his life in the goldfields of California. Here is his description of springtime in the Central Valley: For miles and hundreds of … Continue reading →