Bidwell Mansion Architectural Drawings
Finding aid created by California State University, Chico staff using RecordEXPRESS
California State University, Chico
2020
California State University, Chico, Special Collections Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, California 95929-0295
(530) 898-6603
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/special-collections/
Title: Bidwell Mansion Architectural Drawings
Dates: 1865-1966
Collection Number: MSS 293
Creator/Collector:
Cleaveland, Henry W. (Henry William)
Extent: Items: 14 Linear Feet: not applicable, oversized
Repository:
California State University, Chico
Chico, California 95929-0295
Abstract: Collection of Bidwell Mansion architectural drawings
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research without restriction.
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Bidwell Mansion Architectural Drawings. California State University, Chico
Various sources including Manning Cleveland Jr.
Biography/Administrative History
The Italianate style mansion was designed for General John Bidwell (1819-1900) Chico, California by San Francisco Architect
Henry William Cleaveland, April 1865. Bidwell occupied it with his bride, Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell (1839-1918) in 1868.
The construction cost was between $56,000 and $60, 000. The mansion contains 26 rooms on three levels, pink stucco with chocolate
brown trim. It had modern features of gas lights, air cooling system, running water and flush toilets. The home was the
center of social life in the area, as the Bidwell entertained guests including President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes, General
William T. Sherman, John Muir, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Governor Stanford and Asa Gray. Upon her death, Mrs. Bidwell
willed the home to the Presbyterian Church to be used as a school. The church not capable of starting a school sold the Mansion
to the State of California as part of the Chico Normal School. It was used for various purposes, first as a women’s dormitory,
then offices and art instruction. In 1964, the Mansion was turned over to the Division of Beaches and Parks to be restored
as a house museum.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection of architectural drawings is from several sources and includes originals and copies. The plans reflect its
various uses, as a residence for the Bidwell’s, and by Chico State College Art and Homemaking Department as offices, and classrooms.
The collection also includes plans from the Historic American Buildings Survey.
Architectural drawing.
Bidwell, John, 1819-1900.
Bidwell, Annie E. Kennedy
Cleaveland, Henry W. (Henry William)
Bidwell Mansion (Chico, Calif.)
Chico (Calif.) -- History.
Chico (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.