CHICO, Calif. — Of all the buildings at Chico State University, the tan colored three-story Bidwell Mansion stands out the most. The well-kept Victorian style villa was home to one of the most influential and iconic men in California — John Bidwell.
“His home was constructed in 1865 and finished in 1868. This was built in an Italianate style. They were really going for a villa feel and look,” said State Park aid Quinn Neves.
Tourists visiting Chico can tour the state historic park and see the mansion's ornate trim, the high-flying widow's peak or the fine wood craftsmanship. You will also learn who Bidwell was.
“John Bidwell was one of the first pioneers to come to California, one of the first settlers in 1841 on the Bidwell-Bartleson Party and was at pretty much every major event in California’s early history,” said Neves.
Neves is not exaggerating Bidwell’s historic legacy. The man impacted California before California was a state.
He discovered gold with John Sutter and became a Mexican citizen only to turn around and fight against Mexico in the Mexican-American War. Bidwell even delivered California’s paperwork for admittance into statehood, which led him into a life of politics.
“He figures that he’s reached society and so now he needs a house that reflects his position in society,” said Neves.
TAKE A TRIP ON BARTELL'S BACKROADS:
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The house of Bidwell’s dream was a 12,000-square-foot 26-room villa built for partying with dignitaries but that changed a bit when he married his wife, Annie Bidwell.
“Annie was a very devout Presbyterian meaning no drinking, dancing or partying,” said Neves.
John and Annie may have been party poopers but at least guests who stayed at their home got to enjoy modern amenities like running water and modern bathrooms. If you tour through the mansion, you will find all sorts of oddities like a secret passageway to the nursery, a glass box full of birds and a life-size painting of John Bidwell that seems to be watching your every move.
“We tell the 4th graders it is creepy cool because his eyes will follow you around the room,” said Neves.
Bidwell wasn’t just a gold mining politician, he was a farmer at heart. He used his 33,000-acre property to grow experimental crops.
“He really pioneered a lot of the crops we see today,” said Neves.
As his farm grew, so did the number of employees. Bidwell eventually established the town of Chico and later persuaded educators to build a college in town by giving them free land anywhere they wanted.
“He said, 'So long as it's not in my front yard,' so they took the backyard,” said Neves.
Bidwell’s finances went south in his old age and he died in debt, but he did leave California and the city of Chico with a wealth of historic importance and a beautiful mansion we can all enjoy.
ANOTHER FAMOUS MANSION YOU'LL FIND ON THE BACKROADS: Take a tour of William Randolph Hearst's grand mansion by the beach.
