Author Archives: nancyleek

Philip A. Bell, born in New York City in 1808, came to California during the Civil War and in 1865 founded The Elevator, a San Francisco newspaper that covered events in the Black Community and advocated for Black suffrage and … Continue reading →

What Juneteenth is to black history today, the celebration of the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was to 19th century black Americans. The amendment prohibited the federal government or any state from denying or abridging a … Continue reading →

On the morning of April 4, 1900, John Bidwell set out to mark a new road along Big Chico Creek. Driving the wagon was William Conway, one of his oldest Mechoopda employees. Also in the wagon was Florence Blake, a … Continue reading →

California State Parks has launched a number of ways to engage the public in “reimagining” the future of Bidwell Mansion, since the devastating fire that consumed the Mansion in December 2024. If you are a downtown Farmer’s Market shopper, stop … Continue reading →

Bret Harte knew how quickly a California spring could turn into a California summer. Enjoy! California Madrigal (On the Approach of Spring) Oh, come, my beloved, from thy winter abode,From thy home on the Yuba, thy ranch overflowed;For the waters … Continue reading →

John Bidwell met President Lincoln in 1864 and was greatly impressed. Bidwell believed whole-heartedly in the Union cause. In 1864 he was a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Baltimore on June 7-8, where Lincoln was renominated for … Continue reading →