Chico in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Life and Times of John Bidwell
An Amazing Life and Legacy
Over the course of his life, John Bidwell struck it rich by finding a substantial amount of gold, participated in the Bear Flag Revolt, lobbied in Washington D.C. for California’s statehood, achieved valuable advances in agriculture, and founded the town of Chico, California. He was even nominated for U.S. President.
1841 — Ambitious and determined 22-year old John Bidwell crossed the Sierra Nevada, and arrives in California with the dream of starting a farm.
1848 — Eureka! John Bidwell finds gold on the Feather River.
1849 ~ 51 — Bidwell purchases more than 26,000 acres of land, including “Rancho del Arroyo Chico.”
1860 — The Town of Chico is laid out by John Bidwell.
1863 — Working with an architect, Bidwell creates plans for his 26-room mansion.
1865 — John Bidwell travels to Washington D.C. to serve a term in the House of Representatives. While there, he meets a Presbyterian activist, Annie Ellicott Kennedy.
1868 — The mansion is finished. John and Annie are married in Washington D.C.
Erected 2008 by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 39° 43.964′ N, 121° 50.608′ W. Marker is in Chico, California, in Butte County. Marker can be reached from Esplanade near Memorial Way. Marker is located near the entrance to the Visitors Center at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 Esplanade, Chico CA 95926, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell (here, next to this marker); Rancho Del Arroyo Chico (within shouting distance of this marker); Chico World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); General John and Annie K. Bidwell Gravesite (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chico Cemetery G.A.R. Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); United States Submarine Crews Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chico Forestry Station and Nursery (approx. 2 miles away); Chico Elks Lodge No. 423 Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chico.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Prior to immigrating to California as part of one of the first wagon trains West, John Bidwell lived in Ohio. The town of Bidwell in Gallia County, Ohio is named for him.
Also see . . . Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is a beautiful, three story, 26 room Victorian House Museum that stands as a memorial to John and Annie Bidwell. (Submitted on April 10, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,361 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.