Author Archives: nancyleek

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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.

A Visit to the Sutter County Museum

Posted on January 9, 2025 by nancyleek

Today Jim and I took a little drive down 99 to Yuba City to visit the Sutter County Museum. I’ve been meaning to get there for a long time now, because I like small hometown history museums, and because I … Continue reading →

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On the Impeachment of Pres. Andrew Johnson

Posted on January 5, 2025 by nancyleek

In March 1868 John Bidwell was in Washington D.C., awaiting his wedding day. Back home in California, the brother of his bride-to-be, John R. Kennedy, had been left in charge of Rancho Chico. Concerned about business on the ranch, Bidwell … Continue reading →

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A Bidwell New Year, 1869

Posted on December 31, 2024 by nancyleek

John Bidwell wrote to his mother-in-law, Catherine Kennedy, on December 31, 1868, striking a humorous note on the weather: The other John here is Annie’s brother John Kennedy, who had come to California for his health. It looks like they … Continue reading →

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A Butte County Christmas, 1856

Posted on December 22, 2024 by nancyleek

A minimum of three Christmas balls on Christmas Eve! Music, dancing, supper, and hopefully, some young ladies. Note the price for the one in Oroville — $8.00. It had better be good for that price. And on Christmas Day there … Continue reading →

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Arson

Posted on December 19, 2024 by nancyleek

I walked through Children’s Park and across the footbridge on Wednesday to take a closer look at the destruction. It is a sad sight to see. Later that day State Parks held a press conference and announced that the fire … Continue reading →

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Bidwell Mansion Destroyed by Fire

Posted on December 12, 2024 by nancyleek

In the early hours of December 11, 2024, fire destroyed Bidwell Mansion. For those of you who do not live in Butte County, Bidwell Mansion is the symbol of Chico, a beautiful Italianate villa, the home of Chico founder John … Continue reading →

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Saloons in Early Chico

Posted on November 20, 2024 by nancyleek

The first saloon opened in Chico in December, 1860 by Monty and Bucklee. We may fairly estimate the growth of Chico when we see that a new saloon has been demanded each year. On Second street we find the Pony, … Continue reading →

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Hotels in Early Chico

Posted on November 15, 2024 by nancyleek

If you were traveling on the stagecoach from Sacramento to Shasta City in 1862, and wanted to stop over in Chico, where would you stay? How about here? Well, not in 1862. The Chico Hotel burned down more than once, … Continue reading →

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Some Chico “Firsts”

Posted on November 11, 2024 by nancyleek

“Now that Chico is forging to the front as a prosperous city of 12,000 or larger population” wrote the Chico Record in 1910, “it is interesting to look backward and consider for a moment the humble beginnings of the city.” … Continue reading →

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Children’s Books on the California Gold Rush

Posted on September 26, 2024 by nancyleek

Last Sunday I gave a presentation at the Kelly-Griggs House Museum in Red Bluff about Alvin Coffey, the Gold Rush, and slavery in California. One of the attendees asked if I could recommend books for children about the California Gold … Continue reading →

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