In the early hours of December 11, 2024, fire destroyed Bidwell Mansion.
For those of you who do not live in Butte County, Bidwell Mansion is the symbol of Chico, a beautiful Italianate villa, the home of Chico founder John Bidwell and his wife Annie. Building began in 1865 and the house was completed in 1868. In its day it was the most elegant and up-to-date home north of Sacramento.
I cannot express the significance of Bidwell Mansion any better than historian Michael Magliari:
The mansion was not merely one of California’s most historically and architecturally significant buildings, it was also the single most important material expression of Chico’s identity as both a place and a community.
I have been on the board of the Bidwell Mansion Association since I wrote a biography of John Bidwell in 2010. I have participated in many events inside the Mansion and have enjoyed bringing John and Annie to life through reenactments and vignettes. I thought it would go on forever.
I am heartsick over the loss of this iconic structure. I want it to be a bad dream that I can wake up from. I want to be able to go back in time. I want an alternative world where Bidwell Mansion still stands and gladdens the hearts of Chico residents. Where children can visit on school field trips and visitors can learn about the lives of a truly remarkable couple and where American history comes to life.
But we have our memories.
goldfields 
Thank you for sharing. Yes, it is a bad dream that we have to accept as reality. Perhaps Bidwell Mansion can be reincarnated like a room-sized doll house. I think such a replica can help teach further generations about the Bidwells and all they contributed to Butte County. My condolences to you and the rest of the Mansion staff and volunteers for all the love and dedication you gave Chico’s most amazing landmark.
So terribly sorry about what happened. I was able to stroll around the mansion a couple of months ago, and was eagerly awaiting it opening again.
Nancy,
I could not believe what I was reading when I saw a news post the next morning.I can’t even imagine how sad you must feel about the loss of the Bidwell Mansion.You have so much of your time, energy and talent invested in that building and the man it represented, know it must be hard to deal with the loss.Just want to let you know I thought about you and your commitment to his memory as soon as I learned of the fire. Know that will continue even though the building is gone.
I am so glad I got to visit there a few times and take the tour of the building. Now I treasure that memory and the photos I took even more. Thanks for your recent post, and especially that you included the photos of you at the mansion.
Chuck