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.

The Lone Pine Earthquake

Posted on August 14, 2017 by nancyleek

The 1872 Lone Pine Earthquake experienced by Nancy Kelsey was felt throughout California. John Bidwell, almost 400 miles north in Chico, recorded in his diary for March 26: Very heavy earthquake at about 2.24 a.m So the earthquake was noticeable … Continue reading →

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Letters from Nancy Kelsey

Posted on August 13, 2017 by nancyleek

I am working on a picture book biography of Nancy Kelsey, who came to California in 1841 as the only female member of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party. I’ve done lots of research, but I am always looking for that last elusive … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

More from The Center for Sacramento History

Posted on July 31, 2017 by nancyleek

It’s been over two weeks since I have posted anything about California history, but I have a good excuse. My three cute granddaughters were visiting for two weeks, and when you have grandchildren around, nothing else gets done. But now … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Center for Sacramento History

Posted on July 14, 2017 by nancyleek

Yesterday I went with John Rudderow to the Center for Sacramento History. I have done a fair amount of research at the California State Library and the Bancroft Library, but I never knew (until now) about the Center for Sacramento … Continue reading →

Posted in Samuel J. Hensley | 10 Comments

A Chico Fourth of July

Posted on July 3, 2017 by nancyleek

How did 19th century Chicoans celebrate Independence Day? Here’s an entry from John Bidwell’s diary for 1876 that will give you a glimpse: Tues. July 4 Warm, very – no wind. = Bells rang & cannon & anvils roared all … Continue reading →

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A Glimpse of the Goldfields

Posted on July 1, 2017 by nancyleek

Here are two letters, written in July 1849, that give a glimpse of life in the goldfields on the Feather River. They were written by John C. Buchanan, who worked for John Bidwell and evidently supervised his diggings at Bidwell … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Bayliss Library

Posted on June 25, 2017 by nancyleek

The Bayliss Library, in Glenn County, celebrates its centennial this year, and yesterday the community marked one hundred years of library service to this rural area with everything you could want in a community celebration: speeches, music, food, activities for … Continue reading →

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My New Project

Posted on June 22, 2017 by nancyleek

I am working on a picture book biography of Nancy Kelsey, the first American woman to come over the Sierra Nevada into California. Nancy was seventeen years old when she set out across the plains with her husband Ben and … Continue reading →

Posted in Nancy Kelsey, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Another Final Word on Talbot H. Green

Posted on May 30, 2017 by nancyleek

Where Green Street in San Francisco meets the Embarcadero, there are plaques embedded in the pavement telling the history behind the street name. Similar plaques adorn Fremont, Francisco, Brannan, Townsend, and other streets of the City. All cities should do … Continue reading →

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A Final Word on Talbot H. Green (with Picture!)

Posted on May 24, 2017 by nancyleek

I couldn’t find a picture of Talbot H. Green online or in any books, and I assumed that while in California he avoided having his likeness taken. But I thought that there just might be a picture of his grave … Continue reading →

Posted in Talbot H. Green | 5 Comments