Category Archives: Uncategorized

Events! I Have Events!

Time for some shameless self-promotion. I have all kinds of events lined up for the Fall. I hope I see you at one or more of these. First up — the Bidwell Mansion Association Victorian Picnic at the Chico Cemetery. … Continue reading

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Early Days in Chico

I borrowed the above photo from “Awesome People of Chico” on Facebook. I’m not sure where the original is, but it shows just what a rough-hewn town Chico was in the 1860s. The second house in Chico was built by … Continue reading

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The First House in Chico

In October 1860 John Bidwell acquired title to “Potter’s Half-League,” a portion of Rancho de Farwell situated on the south bank of Chico Creek. That same year he had finally had his title to Rancho Chico on the north side … Continue reading

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Looking at Ledgers

Yesterday I went to the California State Library in Sacramento to look at a variety of Rancho Chico ledgers. I had no idea that there were so many! I only wanted ledgers from 1865-1868 because I wanted to see if … Continue reading

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A Walk Around Bidwell Mansion

Crews have been at work cleaning up the exterior debris from the fire at Bidwell Mansion. With the scaffolding gone and the collapsed veranda cleared away, you can get a better look at the ruined structure. It’s a heart-breaking sight. … Continue reading

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Fourth of July Parade

The Bidwell Mansion Association and friends gathered in costume to celebrate the 4th at the downtown Chico 4th of July Parade. “John and Annie” were given a classy ride in a beautiful 1920 Studebaker sedan generously provided by Jen and … Continue reading

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Black Bart in Butte County

On this date — June 21 — in 1879 the notorious stage robber Black Bart held up a stage coach near Forbestown in Butte County. It was his first robbery in the year 1879 and his ninth robbery since he … Continue reading

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Bidwell Mansion: The Stories We Share

The Chico History Museum has a special exhibit featuring memorabilia from Bidwell Mansion. Gathered and saved by community members, the items in the exhibit reflect on what the Mansion has meant to Chico over the years. The exhibit will only … Continue reading

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Sacramento Book Festival

If you like books, this is the place to be next Saturday. Peruse books, meet authors, and enjoy a bookish day in Sacramento. I’ll be there with my books, so I hope I’ll see you. The festival is sponsored by … Continue reading

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The Ten Commandments According to Hugh Trevor-Roper

Hugh Trevor-Roper (1914-2003) was a British historian best known as the author of The Last Days of Hitler (1947). He wrote extensively on Nazi Germany and on England in the 16th and 17th centuries. His Ten Commandments for History Writers … Continue reading

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