Author Archives: nancyleek

The attitude toward the Chinese in California was one of ambivalence. Employers liked getting labor at low cost. Middle-class families that employed Chinese domestic servants could hardly do without them. And everyone in town turned out to watch the colorful … Continue reading →

Correction:  In reading the census tables, I thought Butte County had the highest percentage of Chinese residents in the state, but that honor goes to Trinity County. Although small in population, Trinity County had the largest proportion of Chinese miners … Continue reading →

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is giving thematic tours on the Chinese in California during the month of May. If you are interested, check out the dates and times here.  I took the tour last Saturday and came away with … Continue reading →

July 5th, 1867: You desire to know where is my home “in town or country?” I live not in but adjacent to the town of Chico — as follows: So wrote John to Annie after he returned from Washington to … Continue reading →

One more excerpt from John Bidwell’s letter to Miss E. Boyd: Here the sun’s rays come blistering down the deep and narrow gorge where seats together all the nations of the earth. . . . There’s nothing here to please … Continue reading →

After telling Miss Boyd about the beauties of a California spring, John Bidwell went on to describe the changes of summer. . . . hold now — let time speed but one month. The fragrant and beautiful flowers are dead, … Continue reading →

In 1851 John Bidwell wrote to a young lady of his acquaintance, “My Friend Miss E. Boyd,” describing his life in the goldfields of California. Here is his description of springtime in the Central Valley: For miles and hundreds of … Continue reading →