Author Archives: nancyleek

About nancyleek

Nancy is a retired librarian who lives in Chico, California. She is the author of John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer.

Annie’s Diamond Ring, Part Two

Posted on January 28, 2015 by nancyleek

I am thinking seriously of going to Washington Saturday night and coming back Sunday night . . . It is doubtful. I wrote your father that perhaps I might do so. I hardly think I shall be able. A letter … Continue reading →

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Annie’s Diamond Ring

Posted on January 27, 2015 by nancyleek

At the end of March 1867 John Bidwell’s term in Congress was over and he was ready to return to California. He was anxious to get back to Rancho Chico to look after his business interests, but his love for … Continue reading →

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The Bear Flag Proclamation

Posted on January 7, 2015 by nancyleek

William B. Ide arrived at Sutter’s Fort in October 1845 as part of the Grigsby-Ide wagon train. He took his family north, where built a cabin for his family on the ranch of Robert Thomes. It was men from the … Continue reading →

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Bidwell and the Bear Flaggers

Posted on January 4, 2015 by nancyleek

The flag was not used at the time, or at any time, to march under, or for any other purpose,–had no political significance whatever. It was not recognized as having been adopted or used … Continue reading →

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Pres Longley, the Bard of Butte

Posted on January 3, 2015 by nancyleek

In 2013 John Rudderow and I published a collection of poems by Alexander Preston Longley (1834-1912), an old-time miner and a resident of Butte Creek Canyon. The Miner Poet: Poems of Pres Longley contains 100 of his poems and a … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Day with John and Annie

Posted on January 1, 2015 by nancyleek

The Bidwells typically spent New Year’s Day making and receiving visits, as was the custom in their day. Very often they were in San Francisco on January 1. Here is an entry from Bidwell’s diary for 1879: Wednesday, January l. … Continue reading →

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Dr. James O’Brien of Butte County

Posted on December 29, 2014 by nancyleek

So on Saturday my husband and I took our two granddaughters to San Francisco to visit the Museum of the Society of California Pioneers (and the Walt Disney Family Museum) at the Presidio. What a beautiful day! Gorgeous view of … Continue reading →

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Christmas with Annie Bidwell

Posted on December 26, 2014 by nancyleek

In 1903 Annie Bidwell described the Christmas celebration at the Indian Rancheria on December 24th, and a party she hosted at Bidwell Mansion for friends and family on the 29th. Here are the entries from her diary: Thurs., December 24 … Continue reading →

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If You Go to San Francisco . . . .

Posted on December 18, 2014 by nancyleek

Be sure to go to Pioneer Hall at the Presidio. The Society of California Pioneers has a new museum location, and their opening exhibit is Circa 1849: Treasures from the Archives. The exhibit is only on until December 31, so … Continue reading →

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The Bear Flag Story

Posted on December 12, 2014 by nancyleek

Most of us know the story of how the California flag came to be. But do you know that it might have had quite a different bear on it? In June 1846 a group of Americans banded together to take … Continue reading →

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