Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park
|
|
Bidwell Mansion in 2019
|
|
 Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
Location in California
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 525 Esplanade, Chico, California |
|---|---|
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Henry W. Cleaveland |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Italian Villa, Octagon house |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000216 |
| Added to NRHP | 1972 |
The Bidwell Mansion is a famous historic house located in Chico, California. It was the home of General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell. They lived there from late 1868 until John's death in 1900. Annie continued to live in the mansion until she passed away in 1918.
John Bidwell started building this amazing house in 1865. It was part of his huge 26,000-acre ranch called Rancho del Arroyo Chico. He built it while he was getting to know Annie Ellicott Kennedy. After they got married in 1868, their new home became a very important place. It was the center for social and cultural events in the upper Sacramento Valley.
Today, the Bidwell Mansion is a museum and a State Historic Park. It is recognized as a California Historical Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion cost about $60,000 to build and was finished in May 1868.
Contents
What Makes Bidwell Mansion Special?
When it was built, Bidwell Mansion was very modern for its time. It had special features like indoor plumbing, gas lighting, and a water system. The house is made of brick and has three stories. It was designed in a romantic version of the Italianate style. It also has elements of Italian Villa and Octagon house designs. The outside of the building is covered with a plaster that has a pretty pink color.
Exploring the Mansion Today
Visitors can easily enter the first floor of the Bidwell Mansion using a ramp. You can take an hour-long tour to see the entire inside of the mansion. These tours usually start every hour on most days of the week. If you can't climb the 50 stairs to the second and third floors, don't worry! There's a video in the visitor center that shows you those parts of the mansion.
The Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center is easy for everyone to access. It has a fun gift shop where you can find souvenirs. There's also a museum with interesting exhibits and a theater where you can watch the video. You'll find a comfortable lobby, restrooms, and water available there too.
Fun Facts About Bidwell Mansion
- Some parts of the famous movie The Thin Man were filmed inside the mansion.
- From 1925 to 1935, the Bidwell Mansion was used in a different way. It became a dormitory for students attending Chico State Teachers College. Some local historians say that students would study and get dressed in the rooms. But they actually slept outside on the wide porches! Later, the mansion was called "Bidwell Hall." It was home to the Art and Home Economics departments of the college.
Images for kids
-
Bidwell Mansion in 2019
