Author Archives: nancyleek

A cold, clear morning in January 1848. Jim Marshall goes out early to check the tailrace of the sawmill that he is building for John Sutter on the American River. The night before he had turned the water from the … Continue reading →

. . . as John Bidwell traveled toward Oroville on Friday, January 1, 1869. He drove a buggy and intended to take “the cars” (the railroad) to Marysville and then go by steamboat to San Francisco on business. But the … Continue reading →

This is not my usual history of Northern California post. Instead I am sharing a bit of family history for the New Year. My father, Alfred R. Norris, was a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Navy. From 1958 to … Continue reading →

A distinguished guest will be visiting Bidwell Mansion for the holidays this year. “Christmas with the Bidwells” will feature a great (and controversial) American and one of history’s most famous military men. General William Tecumseh Sherman was an old friend … Continue reading →

As a librarian and devoted book reader, I have always given the gift of books. Everybody needs a good book (or many good books) for Christmas! So if you are shopping for books this holiday season, please consider my books … Continue reading →

My husband’s grandfather, George Robert DeBeque, was a veteran of the First World War. He was commissioned on June 28, 1917 and served in France as a captain in the Engineer Corps, having been a mining engineer in civilian life. … Continue reading →