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.

“Rich, Pleasant, and Spicy”—Grasshoppers, Anyone?

Posted on June 30, 2012 by nancyleek

In the reminiscences collected by C.C. Royce, John Bidwell recalled the time when the Indians provided a tasty meal made of ground roasted grasshoppers to Fremont’s troops. John C. Fremont, “the Great Pathfinder,” returned to California on his third exploratory … Continue reading →

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Gray on Grasshoppers

Posted on June 18, 2012 by nancyleek

George Moses Gray continues his recollections about California grasshoppers: When I told the General about it [i.e., Indians harvesting grasshoppers] he said, “I have eaten a great many good grasshopper pancakes,” and told me the following story. He said, “When … Continue reading →

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Hoppers on the Move!

Posted on June 16, 2012 by nancyleek

Here in Northern California the grasshoppers are plentiful this year, and they are hungry and looking for a good meal. According to a news report on KNVN: The farm advisor from the UC Cooperative Extension says the young grasshoppers are … Continue reading →

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Annie Stands Up for her Standards

Posted on June 7, 2012 by nancyleek

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 →

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On the Trail Again

Posted on May 20, 2012 by nancyleek

Last year I followed the Bidwell-Bartleson Party day by day as they crossed the continent from Missouri to California. If you are interested in their journey, check my past blog entries for May through November 2011. John Bidwell kept a … Continue reading →

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“Old Hutch” on Politicians

Posted on May 20, 2012 by nancyleek

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 →

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How the College Came to Chico

Posted on May 7, 2012 by nancyleek

After several years of petitioning by citizens in northern California, the state legislature authorized a branch of the State Normal School to be built somewhere north of Marysville. As soon as they did so, every city, town and hamlet in … Continue reading →

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Bidwell and Chico Normal School

Posted on April 29, 2012 by nancyleek

John Bidwell secured a State Normal School for Chico by donating a piece of his ranch as the initial site for the school. But his involvement in bringing a college to Chico goes back several years earlier. In February 1880, … Continue reading →

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What’s Normal about a Normal School?

Posted on April 22, 2012 by nancyleek

It used to be common for teacher’s colleges to be called “normal schools.” The term has an odd ring to it, since the first meaning of “normal” that comes to mind is “typical, usual, average, ordinary.” We speak of “normal … Continue reading →

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Happy Anniversary, Chico State!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by nancyleek

This year California State University Chico is celebrating its 125th anniversary. So Happy Quasquicentennial, Chico State! (Not wanting to confuse some of their students, Chico State isn’t using the nifty word “quasquicentennial” for a 25 + 100 years celebration. But … Continue reading →