Our celebrations of Independence Day are skimpy compared to the way they enjoyed the Fourth in Chico in 1875. It was a full day of celebration, as promoted in the Chico Record on July 3rd. (The celebration took place of the 5th, since the 4th fell on a Sunday. Many of the days activities would be considered inappropriate for the Sabbath.)

The day began with the ringing of bells at 4 a.m. (!) followed by a “National Salute,” which probably meant the firing of guns, cannons, and anvils at sunrise. (If you want more about anvil-firing click here.) Next was a “Grand Procession” or parade at 10 A.M. “and the usual ceremonies of the day in the Forenoon,” which took place at the Pavilion.

“The ceremonies at the Pavilion, under the direction of the President of the Day, Hon. John Bidwell, who seemed to be as happy as the occasion required, passed off with enthusiasm,” reported the Chico Record. These ceremonies consisted of songs by a choir, prayer, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, a patriotic poem, an oration by E.J. Lewis of Tehama, and more music. “At the conclusion of these exercises, the vast audience, which filled the Pavilion and over-flowed into the square and streets surrounding the building, were dismissed to be “free and independent” as of right they ought to be.”

The parade was led by Church, Jones & Beebe’s Brass Band, the Chico Guard under Captain Turner, Brigadier General George Cadwalader and his staff, who happened to be visiting, the president (Bidwell) and officers of the day in carriages, the town council, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

These dignitaries were followed by a company of firemen, the Order of Good Templars, representatives of various trades and skills, public schools, the Grange and “Lady Grangers in carriages,” and “Citizens in Carriages and on foot.” As the parade proceeded, they were joined by school children representing the states and the “Goddess of Liberty and Justice” on wagons or floats.

Here is the route taken by the parade, quite a lengthy one for a small town:

A balloon ascension had been announced for the afternoon, but that turned out to be a flop. It “persistently refused to be filled with the means at hand to supply it with gas.” A smaller balloon was attempted, but it also could not be elevated. It caught fire and burned. “The good-natured crowd that assembled to see it go up cheered quite as lustily when it burned up, and sought other diversions.”

At 5 o’clock the Chico Guard assembled and “at the order ‘fall in,’ fifty-seven muskets made their appearance. Captain took the boys in hand and put them through their various evolutions, marching and counter-marching, the manual of arms, etc.” General Cadwalader was pleased by the display.

The day ended with fireworks on the plaza, where “the crowd thronged and surged throughout the whole Pavilion block, down Broadway and along Fourth, Fifth, and Main Streets.” (Chico Weekly Enterprise, 9 July 1975). The fireworks were followed by a “Grand Anniversary Ball” in the Pavilion, the “grandest affair of the year.”

If you are wondering about the Pavilion, it was a community hall located on Broadway between 4th and 5th Streets. I can’t find a photo of it, but here it is depicted on the 1871 bird’s-eye map of Chico. It was replaced by a new pavilion in 1878.