Monthly Archives: April 2023

Helping Mrs. Kelsey

After interviewing her in early 1893, Addison Powell stayed in touch with Nancy Kelsey. He was distressed by her poverty and a year after the interview he wrote to John Bidwell, seeking aid for the widowed Mrs. Kelsey. Santa Maria, … Continue reading

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Nancy Kelsey’s Last Years

Nancy Kelsey was 65 years old when she moved to the Cuyama Valley to be near her daughter Martha Ann Lewis. In 1889 the age of 65 was considered elderly and Nancy had certainly seen a good deal of hardship … Continue reading

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More about Nancy Kelsey

I did a book about Nancy Kelsey in 2017 but it doesn’t look like I ever wrote very much about her here. A call from a journalist writing an article about her has inspired me to revisit her life and … Continue reading

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Lost and Found at Rancho Chico

In this image you can see Bidwell’s store on the left, the bridge over Chico Creek, and the old adobe building on the right, surrounded by cottonwood trees and a few horses and people. The adobe building served as John … Continue reading

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The Kelly-Griggs House Reopens

Back in 2017 I wrote about my visit to the Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff. As I said then about this beautiful historic home: The Kelly-Griggs House is a classic example of 19th century American architecture, and one of several … Continue reading

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It’s California Poppy Day!

April 6th is California Poppy Day, honoring our state flower. The California Poppy was designated the state flower in 1903, and in 2010 April 6th was named an official state holiday (but not one where anybody gets the day off, … Continue reading

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Bidwell’s Old Adobe

After his log cabin on Chico Creek burned down in 1852, John Bidwell built this two-story (with a one-story wing) adobe building. It was his home, his ranch headquarters, as well as a tavern and a hotel for travelers on … Continue reading

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