Chico in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell
A House With a Style
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
1. The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell Marker
Inscription.
The Historic Home of Annie and John Bidwell. A House With a Style. Completed in 1868, the home featured many surprisingly modern conveniences including running water, flush toilets, an acetylene gas lighting system, eight fireplaces, and wall-to-wall carpeting. The pink stucco mansion was designed by San Francisco based architect Henry Cleveland., The small brick building behind the mansion was built for Cleveland when he began planning the mansion. It served as a home away from home and as an office to conduct the business of building such a grand mansion in the middle of a farming town., Attached to the architect’s house is a carriage house, a modern structure built on the footprint of the original. It is now used to house original carriages used by the Bidwells. Just behind the carriage house are the original steps that were constructed for Annie Bidwell, allowing the petite woman to board carriages and ride horses., 1887 ̶ Bidwell donates his cherry orchard on Big Chico Creek to the Chico Normal School (now California State University, Chico)., 1892 ̶ At the age of 72, John Bidwell runs for U.S. President., 1900 ̶ While working on his ranch, John Bidwell experiences intense chest pains. He dies later that day, with Annie by his side., 1905 ̶ Honoring her beloved’s wishes, Annie Bidwell donates 2,400 acres of creek-side property to the city, later named Bidwell Park., 1918 ̶ Annie Bidwell dies, leaving the mansion to the Presbyterian Church., 1923 ̶ The Presbyterian Church sells the mansion, which is then used as college dorms and classrooms., 1964 ̶ Bidwell’s home becomes a state historic park.
Completed in 1868, the home featured many surprisingly modern conveniences including running water, flush toilets, an acetylene gas lighting system, eight fireplaces, and wall-to-wall carpeting. The pink stucco mansion was designed by San Francisco based architect Henry Cleveland.
The small brick building behind the mansion was built for Cleveland when he began planning the mansion. It served as a home away from home and as an office to conduct the business of building such a grand mansion in the middle of a farming town.
Attached to the architect’s house is a carriage house, a modern structure built on the footprint of the original. It is now used to house original carriages used by the Bidwells. Just behind the carriage house are the original steps that were constructed for Annie Bidwell, allowing the petite woman to board carriages and ride horses.
1887 ̶ Bidwell donates his cherry orchard on Big Chico Creek to the Chico Normal School (now California State University, Chico).
1892 ̶ At the age of 72, John Bidwell runs for U.S. President.
1900 ̶ While working on his ranch, John Bidwell experiences intense chest pains. He dies later that day, with Annie by his side.
1905 ̶ Honoring her beloved’s wishes, Annie Bidwell donates 2,400
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acres of creek-side property to the city, later named Bidwell Park.
1918 ̶ Annie Bidwell dies, leaving the mansion to the Presbyterian Church.
1923 ̶ The Presbyterian Church sells the mansion, which is then used as college dorms and classrooms.
1964 ̶ Bidwell’s home becomes a state historic park.
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.
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.)
3. John Bidwell
Photo displayed on marker.
4. Annie and John Bidwell
Photo displayed on marker.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
5. Side View of the Mansion
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
6. Entrance Doors
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
7. Architectural Detail - Support Posts on Porch
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
8. The "Home Away From Home" of Architect Henry Cleveland
The attached carriage house is seen at the rear of this small brick building.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
9. The Carriage House and Henry Cleveland Residence
The carriage house section is a modern structure built on the footprint of the original carriage house. The plaque seen in photo #9 is mounted on the ground at the base of the far right double doors.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
10. Bidwell Carriage Shed
Reconstruction Made Possible by
California Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Bidwell Mansion Association
Timothy Simonds - Contractor
Las Senoras
Native Daughters of the Golden West
Annie K. Bidwell Parlor 168
Chico Heritage Association
Robert Heaton - Architect
Dedicated April 22, 1989
H.S. Crocker Co.,Inc.-S.F., Ca, Published by Eastman's Studio, Susanville, Ca.
11. Southern View of the Bidwell Mansion
Postcard discription:
The Historic Bidwell Mansion
Chico, California
Photographed By Vintage Postcard, circa 1916
12. The Old Bidwell Home - Chico, Calif.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2010
13. The Bidwell Mansion
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,119 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 10, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 11. submitted on April 12, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 12. submitted on April 21, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 13. submitted on April 10, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.