Category Archives: Uncategorized

The year 1847 ended with the greatest expectations and it seemed that the following year would crown my success. Around my dwelling, whose doors were never locked, the former wilderness had changed into gardens and large fields of various kinds … Continue reading →

On January 8, 1850 it commenced raining in the Sacramento Valley. The rain continued for ten days, and this after an already wet winter, with rains that began in October 1849. Sacramento City, built on the riverside where the American … Continue reading →

Happy New Year to all the history buffs out there. I hope 2017 is filled with wonderful discoveries and joyful events. Are you a member of a group or club that needs a speaker? I love to speak to groups—it’s … Continue reading →

John Bidwell knew he was in California when he arrived at John Marsh’s rancho on November 4, 1841. Like most Americans who came to California in the 1840s, he went to John Sutter to find work. By Christmas Day, Bidwell had … Continue reading →

In his book The Other Slavery, historian Andrés Reséndez reveals a missing piece of American history — the enslavement of Native Americans. From the first days of Columbus in the Caribbean down to the 20th century, Indians were pressed into … Continue reading →

On December 8 and 9, 1848 (168 years ago), news of the gold discovery in California was first reported in the New York Daily Tribune. The first report was a letter written on August 17th from Monterey by Col. Richard … Continue reading →

The Association for Northern California Historical Research has just launched its new book: The Road to Cherokee, by Mary Ray King. This work of fiction is a first for ANCHR, a historical romance set in Butte County, focusing on two … Continue reading →

File this under “They Don’t Write Newspapers Like They Used To”— 100 years ago: WYANDOTTE HAS ELIGIBLE BACHELORS FOR RICH CHICO WIDOWS — BUT NOT ENOUGH (Originally published in the Oroville Mercury and republished in the Chico Daily Enterprise Nov. … Continue reading →

From Annie Bidwell’s Diary: Fri., Nov. 28 [1890] Perfect day. Rev. Mr Murrish & wife, Rev & Mrs Reames, Rev & Mrs Green dined with us at one O’Clock today. Came at noon, left about 4 P.M. Had excellent dinner … Continue reading →

When we moved to Chico 25 years ago, our youngest daughter started Kindergarten at Neal Dow School. I wondered who Neal Dow was and why he had a school named after him. He must have been some prominent Chicoan. When … Continue reading →