Category Archives: Christmas

A Chico Christmas Eve, 1869

Posted on December 24, 2022 by nancyleek

From John Bidwell’s diary for 1869: Sat. December 25.  Christmas – Rained last night with a furious wind – Boys & girls of the town invited and had a high old time – That “high old time” happened at the … Continue reading →

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Christmas with the Bidwells 2019

Posted on December 24, 2019 by nancyleek

The Bidwell Mansion Association celebrated “Christmas with the Bidwells” on December 6th with delicious holiday treats, live music, and a vignette inside Bidwell Mansion. In the vignette, Mrs. Swasey (LaShona Haskell), William Swasey (Mike Swann), John Bidwell (Nick Anderson) and … Continue reading →

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A Real John Bull Plum Pudding

Posted on December 4, 2019 by nancyleek

The cook at Sutter’s Fort, an Englishman, promised he could produce a Christmas dinner “that would rival Delmonico’s best efforts.” (Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City being the epitome of fine dining.) He also promised to top off the whole … Continue reading →

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A Pioneer Repast

Posted on December 2, 2019 by nancyleek

If you were living at Sutter’s Fort in 1845, before the Gold Rush, what was available for you to eat? Would you enjoy lots of good foodstuffs, or a limited diet? It could be both, depending on the time of … Continue reading →

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Christmas Day, 1869

Posted on December 24, 2013 by nancyleek

From John Bidwell’s diary for 1869: Sat. December 25.  Christmas – Rained last night with a furious wind – Boys & girls of the town invited and had a high old time – May you have just as good a … Continue reading →

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Christmas with the Bidwells, Dec. 23-25

Posted on December 23, 2013 by nancyleek

1870 Fri. December 23.  Little cloudy this morning but pleasant – heavy frost and freeze last night- H.W. Cleaveland left this morning for San Francisco – Annie shopping for Christmas presents – Mr. D. Ramage dined with us – Mr. … Continue reading →

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Christmas with the Bidwells

Posted on December 22, 2013 by nancyleek

How did John and Annie Bidwell celebrate Christmas? Well, for one thing, it didn’t go on all month like it does for us. Bidwell doesn’t usually mention Christmas in his diary entries until a few days before December 25th. For … Continue reading →

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