Back in November 2014 a metal box was discovered in the base of the pioneer monument that sits on the corner of The Esplanade and So-Wil-En-No Ave. A mystery time capsule! What wonders might it hold?

At the time I wrote:

What do you guess might be inside the box? A dry and dusty scroll commemorating the occasion? Pictures by school children? Mementos of John and Annie? A nice big gold nugget?

Don’t we all wish it were John’s first gold nugget or Annie’s Cherokee diamond ring! But it looks like the contents are closer to my first guess: a list of donors. Today the results of the investigation were announced, and you can read about it in the Chico Enterprise-Record. Quoting Ranger Kirk Coon, the article states:

“We are all so excited about what this process revealed,” said Kirk Coon, state parks valley sector supervising ranger, in a press release. “What appeared to be a disintegrated roll of paper turned into pages of readable names of people who donated for the monument. Many school children and other community member’s names are clearly visible.”

Beginning this Saturday you can visit Bidwell Mansion SHP and view the unrolled and carefully preserved contents of the time capsule. Perhaps you will recognize a name. Come take a look and see a bit of Chico history.