Category Archives: Uncategorized

Upcoming Presentations

Posted on January 12, 2025 by nancyleek

I have several talks and presentations to give in the coming months. A couple of them don’t have dates yet, but I’ve got plans. First up is a talk at Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff on Saturday, January 18, at … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Sutter County Museum

Posted on January 9, 2025 by nancyleek

Today Jim and I took a little drive down 99 to Yuba City to visit the Sutter County Museum. I’ve been meaning to get there for a long time now, because I like small hometown history museums, and because I … Continue reading →

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On the Impeachment of Pres. Andrew Johnson

Posted on January 5, 2025 by nancyleek

In March 1868 John Bidwell was in Washington D.C., awaiting his wedding day. Back home in California, the brother of his bride-to-be, John R. Kennedy, had been left in charge of Rancho Chico. Concerned about business on the ranch, Bidwell … Continue reading →

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A Bidwell New Year, 1869

Posted on December 31, 2024 by nancyleek

John Bidwell wrote to his mother-in-law, Catherine Kennedy, on December 31, 1868, striking a humorous note on the weather: The other John here is Annie’s brother John Kennedy, who had come to California for his health. It looks like they … Continue reading →

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A Butte County Christmas, 1856

Posted on December 22, 2024 by nancyleek

A minimum of three Christmas balls on Christmas Eve! Music, dancing, supper, and hopefully, some young ladies. Note the price for the one in Oroville — $8.00. It had better be good for that price. And on Christmas Day there … 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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Children’s Books on the California Gold Rush

Posted on September 26, 2024 by nancyleek

Last Sunday I gave a presentation at the Kelly-Griggs House Museum in Red Bluff about Alvin Coffey, the Gold Rush, and slavery in California. One of the attendees asked if I could recommend books for children about the California Gold … Continue reading →

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Upcoming Talks

Posted on August 6, 2024 by nancyleek

I have a couple of talks scheduled for September, so if you are in the neighborhood, I hope you will come and say, “Hi!” On Saturday, September 21st I will be speaking at the Butte County Historical Society about my … Continue reading →

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Summer Updates

Posted on August 1, 2024 by nancyleek

What’s new? I took a trip to England in June and did absolutely nothing related to California history. I hiked the ancient Ridgeway trail and spent a few days in London. Here is a picture of my crew in Avebury, … Continue reading →

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Taking a Break

Posted on April 28, 2024 by nancyleek

Dear Friends, I have enjoyed writing this blog for the past 13 years, every since my first book came out. Four more books and 1231 blog posts later, it’s time for me to take a break. I have a big … Continue reading →

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