Happy Birthday to California pioneer and Chico founder John Bidwell!

John Bidwell was born on August 5, 1819 in Chautauqua County, New York, near the shores of Lake Erie. He rarely noted his birthday in his daily diary, but in 1898 he wrote: BIRTHDAY (79th) – Florence had an extra good dinner. He was at Butte Meadows, having spent the week camping and working with a crew on the Humboldt Wagon Road. That day, August 5th, he wrote:

New grade round Beartrap hill – Started to work there at 6.l0 a.m. – returned at 6 l/2 p.m. finished clearing the gradeway + wife with me all day.

Bidwell was no slacker and he loved road-building. To him a twelve-hour day spent “clearing the gradeway” was a fine way to spend his birthday. He surely deserved that “extra good dinner” that Florence the cook produced.

Annie was not as consistent a diarist as her husband, but she noted his birthday in 1893, when he turned 74. She was obviously proud of his good looks.

Scarce a gray hair in his rich brown hair, and not a bald place! Dressed in white today he is the picture of freshness, roses on his cheeks & happiness in his eyes, and fun & wisdom in his conversation. What a pleasant hour we have passed at dinner table. General, Col. Royce, Prof. H. W. Henshaw & self! Funny stories and scientific & social conversation. How the watermelons suffered! Had four large ones, blackberries, peaches, plums, & enormous nectarines, the first of latter of the season.