Category Archives: Uncategorized

Provisions for Rancho Chico — 1850

John Bidwell sent a letter to his brother Thomas listing the items he shipped to Rancho Chico on November 6, 1850. He had been shopping in Sacramento City, buying provisions for the ranch and items to sell at his store. … Continue reading

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Adios to Amos Frye

Amos Frye’s death made him famous in a way that his life never would have. The story appeared in the Shasta Courier, the Sacramento Daily Union, the San Jose Republican, the Daily Alta California (San Francisco), and others around the … Continue reading

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A Tour of Johnson’s Ranch

Yesterday was my lucky day! I got to visit historic Johnson’s Ranch in Yuba County. You can’t just drive out to the ranch and look around because it is on private property, the AKT Ranch. I was given an invitation … Continue reading

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The Death of Amos Frye

That one man was Amos E. Frye. The record for “Internment No. 1” in the Chico Cemetery states, “This grave must be located in Section 4; site otherwise unknown; the monument has not be found.” There may have been a … Continue reading

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The Adventures of Amos Frye — Part 2

Amos E. Frye was now in his forties, working for John Bidwell on Rancho Chico. Bidwell was often away from the ranch, serving in the California senate in San Jose and looking after business in San Francisco and Sacramento. John … Continue reading

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The Adventures of Amos E. Frye — Part 1

Amos E. Frye led an adventurous life, but left very little record of it. He is more noted for his death than his life — he was the first man buried in the Chico Cemetery. How he came there, and … Continue reading

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Nancy Kelsey’s Last Two Wishes

Nancy Kelsey’s long and adventurous life came to an end on August 10th, 1896. She died and was buried at her last home in Cottonwood Canyon in the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Her friend, Minnie Heath, later … Continue reading

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More about Nancy Kelsey

I did a book about Nancy Kelsey in 2017 but it doesn’t look like I ever wrote very much about her here. A call from a journalist writing an article about her has inspired me to revisit her life and … Continue reading

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Lost and Found at Rancho Chico

In this image you can see Bidwell’s store on the left, the bridge over Chico Creek, and the old adobe building on the right, surrounded by cottonwood trees and a few horses and people. The adobe building served as John … Continue reading

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The Kelly-Griggs House Reopens

Back in 2017 I wrote about my visit to the Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff. As I said then about this beautiful historic home: The Kelly-Griggs House is a classic example of 19th century American architecture, and one of several … Continue reading

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