goldfields

I am working on a presentation for an OLLI class on Local History. (OLLI is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — basically retirees teaching other retirees whatever they feel like teaching. It’s a fun and easy way to keep your brain ticking.) I have done other presentations in this class over the last couple of years. So far, they have let me come back.

I decided to talk about John Bidwell in California politics this time. It’s a topic that has always interested me, although I do not have a background in political science. But I thought it might be entertaining to get away from the turmoils of the present day and see what they were up to way back when.

My opening question will be “With what political party did John Bidwell affiliate?” He was active in politics, so what party did he belong to?

It all depends on which decade you are asking about. That is what makes it interesting, and what makes Bidwell a portrait of the changing trends in California politics.

1840–1860: “I was in those years an incorrigible Democrat.”

1860–mid-1870s: Republican or Union Party

1875–mid-1880s: People’s Independent Party (Anti-Monopolist)

1885-1900: Prohibition Party

That looks simple, if changeable, but it gets more complicated the deeper you dig. Come with me on a ride through the quickly changing landscape of 19th-century politics.

And you probably didn’t even know I was gone.

Edinburgh Castle and me with a blue backpack

I’ve been silent here for the last couple of weeks because I was on vacation. My husband and I went on a trip to Scotland, to see the land of my mother’s ancestors. We spent time in Edinburgh and went on a tour of the Isle of Skye. All in all, we had a wonderful time.

Here’s looking at you, kid.

And now I’ll get back to blogging. I have a couple of books to review, and a presentation to write about John Bidwell and politics, some of which I will share here.

Courtesy of the Society of California Pioneers

Here’s Cuffy in a cartoon from 1850, reading the news of California’s admission into the Union.  The drawing comes from the Society of California Pioneers, but I don’t know anything else about the source of this picture. The SCP has a treasure trove of California items.

In September 1889 — 39 years after the event — John Bidwell wrote to his friend E. Nelson Blake:

Your memory is good — true, 39 years ago we brought the news of California’s admission into the Union. Where are those who were our fellow passengers? Except for yourself, I cannot recall the name of one living! We ought to be thankful that our lives have been spared to behold the wonderful march of events of this prolific age!

Unfortunately, Blake’s letter to Bidwell recalling the great day does not survive. Blake had a very good memory for his California days — I wish we had his recollections.

Bidwell and Blake were both passengers on the steamship Oregon, arriving on October 18, 1850 with the news that California had become the 31st state. Bidwell was traveling in a first class cabin, while Blake, a farm boy on his way to the goldfields, was in steerage.

Bidwell carried with him the statehood documents, but fearing their loss to unknown men who opposed the admission of California as a free state, he gave the document into the keeping of Mrs. Elisha Crosby and her daughter Helen. Miss Helen slept with the packet of papers under her pillow and hid them in her blue silk umbrella as the crossed the Isthmus of Panama.

You can celebrate Admission Day with the Bidwell Mansion Association at Bidwell Mansion on Sunday, September 8th at 4 p.m. and hear the whole story of how John Bidwell brought the news and the documents safely to San Francisco.

I travel quite often from our home in Chico to our son’s home in Livermore (because that’s where the grandchildren are). Traveling down I-5 we pass through Stockton. I have never had any reason to stop in Stockton, until I found out about the Haggin Museum.

What a gem! Stockton is very lucky to have such a fine museum. And luck has played a significant role in the creation of the Haggin Museum. According to Wikipedia:

The San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society wanted to build a history museum, but was unable to raise sufficient funds to do so. Robert McKee offered the group $30,000 in honor of his wife, Eila Haggin McKee, if the museum would be named for her father Louis Terah Haggin and if they added a wing to house his art collection. The museum opened its doors to the public on 14 June 1931, Flag Day.

So Mr. Haggin never lived in Stockton, but his fine collection of 19th century European and American does reside there. It’s an especially good place to see paintings by Albert Bierstadt.

Sunset in Yosemite Valley, by Albert Bierstadt

The museum also has an extensive collection of the works of the American “Golden Age” illustrator, J.C. Leyendecker, which also came to them by luck. Leyendecker never lived in Stockton either, but his sister did, and she left her collection to the museum. If 19th century French art is not your thing, then go to the upstairs gallery to see Saturday Evening Post covers and advertising art for Kellogg’s cereals and Arrow shirts.

J.C. Leyendecker — Is it any wonder that we all eat cereal for breakfast now?

Charles Weber, member of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party and founder of Stockton

And then there is local and California history, farm machinery, boats, old fire engines, a World War II Jeep (one of 275 bought by the students and teachers of Stockton High), and traveling exhibits. Something for everyone!

The museum is easy to get to — close to I-5 on Pershing Ave. Directions and hours are here.  Put it on your list of places to visit soon.

The museum is set in a city park so you can have a picnic or run some energy off the kids. There is also a lovely rose garden.

A Saturday Evening Post cover by J.C. Leyendecker