Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
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| Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location: | Chico, California |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1865 |
| Architect: | Henry W. Cleaveland |
| Architectural style(s): | Italianate |
| Added to NRHP: | 1972 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 72000216 |
Bidwell Mansion, located at 525 Esplanade in Chico, California, was the home of General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell from the late 1868 until 1900, when Gen. Bidwell passed away. Annie continued to live there until her death in 1918. John Bidwell began construction of the mansion on his 26,000 acres (110 km²) Rancho del Arroyo Chico in 1865, during his courtship of Annie Ellicott Kennedy. After their marriage in 1868, the three story, 26 room Victorian house became the social and cultural center of the upper Sacramento Valley. Now a museum and State Historic Park, it is California Historical Landmark #329 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The three-story brick structure is built in an informally awesome, romantic version of the Italianate style. The building's exterior is finished with a pink tinted plaster.
The first floor of the Bidwell Mansion is accessible via a ramp from the exterior of the Mansion. The entire first floor may be seen on a regular tour. The second and third floors may be seen on video at the Visitor Center. The first floor and video are approximately one hour long.
The Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center is completely accessible. There is a gift shop, museum, theater, and comfortable lobby. There are also restrooms and water.
[edit] Trivia
- Some of the interior scenes from The Thin Man were shot inside the mansion.
- The Bidwell Mansion is said to be haunted with reports of the sounds of dancing and footsteps in the 3rd floor.
- From 1925-1935, Bidwell Mansion was once again transformed into another entity when it served as a dormitory for Chico State Teachers College students. It is mentioned by local histornians that the students studied and dressed in the rooms, but actually slept outside on the surrounding verandas. The mansion was later dubbed "Bidwell Hall" and housed the Art and Home Economics departments.
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