Author Archives: nancyleek

Today is the 193rd birthday of General John Bidwell.  He was born August 5, 1819, in Chautauqua County, New York.  The Bidwell Mansion Association celebrated his birthday at Bidwell Mansion with a community party this evening, and judging by the … Continue reading →

An Invitation from the General: Join my friends in celebrating my birthday on August 5, 2012 at my home, Bidwell Mansion. There will be cake, Shubert’s ice cream, music and fun. It’s been 193 years since I was born in … Continue reading →

In 1849 Edward Washington McIlhaney of Virgina joined a company heading for the gold fields of California.  Arriving in the Sacramento Valley on the 1st of October, some members of the company set out northward to the Shasta Mines. McIlhany … Continue reading →

Here’s an entry from the General’s diary for July 4, 1877: Fine cool pleasant day. = Callers: J.W. Gilkyson to excuse committee about calling on Bonte – Haley (Ed. Enterprise) to see Bonte – Mr. Ellis to dine – Rich … Continue reading →

Then as now, it was a cultural advantage to have a college in Chico. John and Annie Bidwell frequently attended lectures and entertainments on campus, and they also frequently played host to visiting performers and lecturers. Lois McDonald wrote the … Continue reading →

For anyone interested in the history of Chico State, When Chico Stole the College, by “Old Hutch” (W.H. Hutchinson), is a fun and very short introduction.  I read it when I was researching Bidwell and the formation of Chico Normal … Continue reading →