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.

Scott’s Bluff, part 2

Posted on June 22, 2014 by nancyleek

As the Bidwell-Bartleson Party approached Scott’s Bluff, they faced a problem that they hadn’t encountered yet on their journey–a barrier. Pioneer companies followed rivers, but they didn’t cross them any more than they had to, because crossing a river was … Continue reading →

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Scott’s Bluff

Posted on June 20, 2014 by nancyleek

One day’s journey west of Chimney Rock the emigrants came to Scott’s Bluff, a rock formation named for Hiram Scott, a wounded fur trapper left behind to die by his companions in 1828. The fantastical shapes of the rocks were … Continue reading →

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Bidwell at Chimney Rock

Posted on June 19, 2014 by nancyleek

In 1841 John Bidwell was traveling across the “dull and monotonous” Great Plains when finally the landscape began to change. On June 17th the party spotted castle-like Courthouse Rock, and on the 18th they came to Chimney Rock, a landmark … Continue reading →

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On the Trail with John Bidwell

Posted on June 18, 2014 by nancyleek

I am on vacation in the Great American West and starting tomorrow I’ll be following in the footsteps of John Bidwell and countless other pioneers who trekked across the Plains. I saw these bison near the road today; here is … Continue reading →

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Happening this Weekend

Posted on May 9, 2014 by nancyleek

There’s a lot going on the weekend of May 10-11, with events for every interest and taste, all in beautiful Butte County. Here are two of them: Feather Fiesta Days is the big event in Oroville. The Butte County Historical … Continue reading →

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Why Did President Hayes Visit a “Backwater” Like Chico?

Posted on May 5, 2014 by nancyleek

Larry commented on my previous post about bridges that “Someone asked me why these dignitaries came to a “backwater” place.” What was the president of the United States, the First Lady, Secretary of War Ramsey, General William Tecumseh Sherman, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Rutherford B. Hayes, Uncategorized, William Tecumseh Sherman | 3 Comments

Dmitry Zavalishin’s Bold Plan

Posted on May 4, 2014 by nancyleek

If Dmitry Zavalishin’s colonial visions had come to pass, Northern California would be New Russia, not the State of Jefferson or any other part of the United States. It’s pretty hard to imagine, but he certainly used all his charm … Continue reading →

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California through Russian Eyes

Posted on May 3, 2014 by nancyleek

Anyone interested in the Russian presence in early California can do no better than to read California through Russian Eyes, 1806-1848, compiled translated, and edited by James R. Gibson (Arthur H. Clark Company, 2013), the second volume in a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

What Ever Happened to Josiah Belden?

Posted on April 26, 2014 by nancyleek

From time to time I’ve written about other members of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party and followed up on their subsequent adventures. Many of them returned to the States after a short time, and very few of them were successful in California. … Continue reading →

Posted in Josiah Belden | 4 Comments

Bidwell and Bridges

Posted on April 24, 2014 by nancyleek

I have been puzzling over these two photos. Both come from CSUChico Meriam Library Special Collections, and both show John Bidwell standing with a group of people on a bridge. Where was the bridge? Who are the other people in … Continue reading →

Posted in bridges, Rutherford B. Hayes, William Tecumseh Sherman | 6 Comments