Bidwell Mansion in Chico, CA Photo Slideshow. Built 1865, Burned 2024 😭

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The Bidwell Mansion was built in 1865 (finished in 1868) in Chico, CA as John and Annie Bidwell’s residence. He died in 1900 and she lived there until she died in 1918. It became a California State Park after the state acquired it in 1964. It was burned by arson on Dec. 11, 2024. 😭 I visited there ever since I was a child and am saddened to see it destroyed. This video slideshow is a set of photos I took on a visit there in May 2015. It was three-stories tall and had 26 rooms. John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician and philanthropist. Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell, the daughter of a socially prominent, high ranking Washington official, was deeply religious, and committed to a number of moral and social causes. Annie was very active in the suffrage and prohibition movements. When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured the most modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The overall style of the three-story brick structure is that of an Italian Villa. The building's exterior is finished with a pink tinted plaster. 📖A book about the Bidwell-Bartleson emigration to California in 1841: amzn.to/4gzhkH4 📚And a book about John Bidwell’s entire life: amzn.to/3VZAihZ *As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. (The Associate program is just a simple way to monetize content.) #bidwellmansion #bidwell #chicocalifornia