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.

Further Adventures of Edward McIlhany

Posted on April 8, 2016 by nancyleek

Continuing the story of Edward McIlhany in the goldfields of Northern California: We left the Major’s and in a few days reached Shasta, not too far from what was called the great Shasta Peak. The place was quite small and … Continue reading →

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Meeting Major Bidwell

Posted on April 5, 2016 by nancyleek

In the spring of 1849 a company of young men, eager to reach the goldfields, set out from Virginia. Almost 80 years later, one of those men, Edward Washington McIlhany, set down his Recollections of a ’49er. His book was … Continue reading →

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“Miners Would Go Miles to See It”

Posted on April 3, 2016 by nancyleek

In 1853, John Bidwell couldn’t buy packets of seeds off a rack in store and he couldn’t order them from a seed catalog. So how did he get the seeds for his vegetable garden? In 1851 and ’52 Bidwell had … Continue reading →

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Bidwell’s Garden Journal 1853

Posted on April 1, 2016 by nancyleek

It’s April 1st, time to start planting your vegetable garden, just like Bidwell did back in the day.  In 1853 Bidwell recorded a Garden Journal in the back of his store ledger. Here’s what was happening day by day in … Continue reading →

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Sewing Project Done

Posted on March 20, 2016 by nancyleek

I have a new respect for the seamstresses and tailors of yore. What a lot of work went into a shirt or a waistcoat! And a full three-piece suit — let’s not even go there. The patterns I used contained … Continue reading →

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Blogging or Sewing?

Posted on March 17, 2016 by nancyleek

I feel like I ought to be writing more blog posts. I have some topics I’d like to research and write about. But instead I have been sewing. I have a friend named Nick Anderson who portrays John Bidwell at … Continue reading →

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Electioneering — American Style

Posted on March 14, 2016 by nancyleek

Just as John Bidwell had his casaba melons, so Henry Wallace had his banana squash. Grown right here in Chico, the giant squash shown in this photo played a role in the presidential campaign of 1948. This item came via … Continue reading →

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Bidwell’s Political Views

Posted on March 13, 2016 by nancyleek

A snippet from a letter by John Bidwell gives a glimpse into his political views in 1891. The image may be difficult to make out — it reads as follows: What political party do you belong to? As to myself, … Continue reading →

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Chico through Time

Posted on March 5, 2016 by nancyleek

My two Bidwell books are now available at the Chico Museum.If you want to pick up a copy, you can get both books at Bidwell Mansion, Made in Chico, The Bookstore, Patrick Ranch, Chico Museum, The Rusty Wagon (Orland), or … Continue reading →

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Mystery Solved!

Posted on March 1, 2016 by nancyleek

Back in November 2014 a metal box was discovered in the base of the pioneer monument that sits on the corner of The Esplanade and So-Wil-En-No Ave. A mystery time capsule! What wonders might it hold? At the time I … Continue reading →

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