Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park facts for kids
|
Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park
|
|
Bidwell Mansion in May 2021
|
|
| Location | 525 Esplanade, Chico, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Henry W. Cleaveland |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Italian Villa, Octagon house |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000216 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1972 |
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park was once a very important building in Chico, California. It was a special home listed as a California Historical Landmark in 1939. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Sadly, the mansion was destroyed by a fire in December 2024.
Contents
The Story of Bidwell Mansion
Who Lived in the Mansion?
The Bidwell Mansion was the home of General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell. They lived there from late 1868 until General Bidwell passed away in 1900. Annie continued to live in the mansion until her own death in 1918.
General Bidwell started building this grand house in 1865. He was getting ready to marry Annie Ellicott Kennedy. After they married in 1868, their new home became a very important place. It was a center for social events and culture in the upper Sacramento Valley. The mansion cost about $60,000 to build and was finished in May 1868.
What Made the Mansion Special?
The Bidwell Mansion was a very modern home for its time. It had special features like indoor plumbing, gas lighting, and a water system. The building was made of brick and had three stories. Its design was a romantic version of the Italianate style. It also had parts that looked like an Italian Villa and an Octagon house. The outside of the building was covered in a pretty pink plaster.
How Was the Mansion Used Later?
After the Bidwell family, the mansion had other uses. From 1925 to 1935, it was a dormitory for female students. These students attended the Chico State Teachers College. Later, the mansion was called "Bidwell Hall." It housed the art and home economics departments for the college.
The state of California bought the property in 1964. This made it a state historic park. Some parts of the movie The Thin Man from 1934 were filmed inside the mansion.
The Fire and Its Aftermath
-104A6926.jpg)
In the early morning of December 11, 2024, a large fire swept through the mansion. Reports said that the top tower of the building collapsed around 4:05 a.m. Investigators determined that the fire was started on purpose.
The mansion had been closed for repairs since early 2024. It was planned to reopen in March 2025. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire. The loss of the Bidwell Mansion was a sad event for its history.
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.
See also
