William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park |
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Front of the adobe in 2011
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| Nearest city | Red Bluff, California |
| Governing body | State of California |
| Reference #: | 12 |
The William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park is a special place in California. It's a California State Historic Park found on the west side of the Sacramento River. You can find it about a mile north of Red Bluff in Tehama County, California.
This park is named after William B. Ide. However, it's interesting to know that he never actually lived in the old adobe building here. Even so, California decided to keep his name for the park. This was done to honor his important part in California's history.
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Who Was William B. Ide?
This park honors William Brown Ide. He was an important pioneer in California's early days. A pioneer is someone who is among the first to explore and settle a new area.
Ide was a leader, known as a captain, in something called the Bear Flag Revolt. This was a short but important event in California's history. He was also the only president of the California Republic. This "republic" was a very short-lived government. It lasted from June 14 to July 9, 1846.
The Historic Adobe Building
The main building at the park is an adobe structure. An adobe is a type of building made from sun-dried earth bricks. This particular adobe was built in 1852 by A. M. Dibble. He was one of the first people to settle in Red Bluff.
Over the years, about 20 different people owned this property. A family named Mount owned it for the longest time, from 1882 to 1913. Many people thought William B. Ide owned this adobe, but he never did. He actually owned land further down the river.
In the 1940s, people decided to turn this adobe site into a state park. The state of California bought the land in the 1950s. The park officially opened in 1960. It was named after William B. Ide to remember his important role in California's past.
What Can You See and Do at the Park?
The park has a restored adobe building that now holds a museum. You can also see a recreated 1850s homestead. A homestead is a home and land where a family lived and worked. These recreated buildings show what life was like back then.
You can explore replicas of a typical schoolhouse and a wood shop. There's also a blacksmith shop where metal items were made. The park also has a small visitor center. A nice picnic area overlooks the Sacramento River.
Fun Events and Programs
The park hosts several special events throughout the year. These events help visitors learn about pioneer life.
- In June, there's the Ide's Ferry Championship Horseshoe Pitchers Contest.
- September brings Adobe Day, a celebration of the historic building.
- In December, you can enjoy a Pioneer Christmas Party.
The park also offers programs for students.
- "Life in the 1850s" is a full-day program.
- "Mini-Life in the 1850s" is a shorter program, lasting one to two hours.
You can even become a volunteer through the "Volunteers in Parks" program. Other programs include demonstrations of old pioneer crafts. There are also performances by the Ide Adobe Players, a band that plays Gold Rush-era music. You can even try "Gold Rush Gambling." This lets you play games like faro, monte, and shut the box. These were popular games during the California Gold Rush.
Gallery
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Interior view of the visitor center
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Sign explaining that William B. Ide never lived here
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Replica of a wood shop / schoolhouse (left) and blacksmith shop (right); in the front the stump of a valley oak taken down in 2016
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Interior of the adobe
See also
