Category Archives: Chico

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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A Visit to Chico — 1868

Posted on August 8, 2023 by nancyleek

In April 1868 the editor of the Marysville Daily Appeal reported on a visit to “The Town of Chico,” situated on the ranch of General Bidwell and “on the living waters of Chico Creek.” He found it to be a … Continue reading →

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More Time Traveling to Chico

Posted on March 17, 2018 by nancyleek

The Pacific Rural Press’s issue for July 3, 1886, continues with a description of “the famous Rancho Chico.” John Bidwell was known throughout the state for introducing new plant varieties and for innovative agricultural methods. The reader will notice the … Continue reading →

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Time Traveling to Chico

Posted on March 15, 2018 by nancyleek

The article on Chico in the Pacific Rural Press, published July 3, 1886, continues with a  description of Chico’s financial and manufacturing capacity: Chico has two solid banks—the Bank of Butte County and the Bank of Chico. Both are located … Continue reading →

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Visiting the Garden City

Posted on March 13, 2018 by nancyleek

I’ve been browsing online issues of the Pacific Rural Press. Look at their masthead — isn’t that a delight? They don’t make them like that anymore. Note the locomotive in the loop of the P and the horse’s head in … Continue reading →

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What is the Oldest Building in Chico?

Posted on March 1, 2017 by nancyleek

A little background about why this question came up: I was in Marysville on Monday with my OLLI class. We were touring churches in the area that have pipe organs. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, on the corner of C St. … 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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More Fun with Demographics

Posted on May 30, 2015 by nancyleek

In 1850, two years after John Bidwell discovered gold in the Feather River, the population of Butte County was 3574 (according to figures in Mansfield’s History of Butte County). Ten years later, the population had quadrupled to 12,106. 20% were … Continue reading →

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