Author Archives: nancyleek

Yesterday Jim and I visited Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento, another one of the state parks that was slated for closure last year.  Thankfully, that unfortunate chapter in state parks history is behind us, for the time being … Continue reading →

“The days of old, the days of gold, the days of ’49” live on in California. There’s a reason it is called the Golden State, and the San Francisco football team is called the Forty-Niners. Those Gold Rush years left … Continue reading →

The Great Seal of California depicts Minerva, goddess of wisdom, seated, with a grizzly bear by her side.  Why Minerva?  Because Minerva (or Athena) sprung fully formed from the forehead of her father Jupiter (or Zeus). As explained by Caleb … Continue reading →

I haven’t been posting much lately; instead I’ve been trying to get a handle on California politics in the 1850’s. I realized, after I started writing about Bidwell in politics, that I didn’t really know much about politics and government … Continue reading →

Somewhere in his writings, and I can’t find the reference, Bidwell says in his early career in California he was an “incorrigible Democrat.” When he left Missouri and came into California in 1841, a young man of 22, he naturally … Continue reading →

Here’s an interesting question: What political party did John Bidwell belong to? The first answer that probably comes to mind is the Prohibition Party. Most people in Chico know that John Bidwell was the Prohibitionist candidate for U.S. president in … Continue reading →

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 →