Finding Aid of the General John Bidwell Papers
C057713
Finding aid prepared by K. Ransick and C. Miller
Society of California Pioneers
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
July 26, 2011
Title: Bidwell, Gen. John, Papers
Identifier/Call Number: C057713
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
1 Folder
Date (inclusive): 1851-1965
Abstract: The folder contains John Bidwell's letters to the Society of California Pioneers and articles about Bidwell and his house
in Chico.
creator:
Bidwell, John, 1819-1900
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research
Conditions Governing Use note
There are no restictions on access
Preferred Citation note
General John Bidwell Papers, The Society of California Pioneers
Donor
Donor and date of acquisition unknown
Biographical/Historical note
General John Bidwell was born in Ripley, NY in 1819 and grew up in Erie, PA and Darke County, OH. By 19, he was headmaster
of Kingsburg Academy, and by 22, he had left his job as a farmer in Iowa and Kansas and begun the journey west to California.
As part of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party, he was a member of the first organized band of settlers to enter California over the
Sierra Mountains. Once in California, he worked for Captain John Sutter as a surveyor near Bodega Bay and took a census of
the upper Sacramento Valley. Bidwell was present when the first American flag was raised at Sutter’s Fort on July 11, 1846.
Soon after, he staked his claim to the gold in the Middle Fork of the Feather River, making him very wealthy. Bidwell Bar,
a town now taken over by the Oroville Dam, was named after Bidwell. He obtained over 25,000 acres of land and laid out the
city of Chico, setting the foundations for many of the city’s parks, churches, and schools. An early producer of wheat, olive
oil, and raisins, Bidwell had 7,000 acres of land under cultivation and was on good terms with local Native Americans/Indians,
allowing them to live on his land and hiring them to work in his fields. He was the first postmaster of Chico and ran for
Governor of California and President of the United State of America. He was eventually elected to Congress and met Annie Ellicott
Kennedy while serving in Washington, D.C. Their marriage lasted 32 years until his death in 1900. Chico State College now
rests on one of his numerous donations of land.
Scope and Contents note
The folder contains multiple letters to the Society of California Pioneers, a few personal letters written by John Bidwell,
numerous newspaper articles on Bidwell and his house in Chico, a report by the California State Park Commission on his house
in Chico, and various other documents relating to Bidwell’s life in California.
Existence and Location of Originals note
The Society of California Pioneers, 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 150, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129.
Related Archival Materials note
Institutional records “Bidwell, John” Obituary Record (vol. 7, pg. 183) Autobiography Records (vol. 7, pg. 33) Mortuary Record
1892-1906 (pg. 126)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bidwell Mansion Association.
Powell, G.M.
Society of California Pioneers.
Chico (Calif.)--History.
Deeds--California
Society of California Pioneers
1 letter to the Society of California Pioneers regarding an invitation to renew John Bidwell’s membership
1893 March 6
1 deed, with accompanying notarization, of John Bidwell to Laura Brotherton
1888 June
1 issue of the Normal Record, including an article In Memoriam on John Bidwell
1 handwritten letter written by John Bidwell to the Society of California Pioneers regarding their invitation for him to present
a lecture at one of their monthly meetings
1897 September 24
1 article on John Bidwell and the Bidwell Mansion in the January 1965 issue of PG&E Progress
1965 January
1 letter to the Society of California Pioneers regarding a dues payment
1893 August 1
1 handwritten letter to the Society of California Pioneers regarding Mrs. Benjamin Kelsey’s failing health, and a request
for relief funds from the Society
1894 April 27
1 report entitled “Preservation of the Historic Bidwell Mansion: Chico, California,” appealing for the declaration of the
Bidwell Mansion as an historic site, submitted to the California Legislature by the California State Department of Education
and the California State Park Commission
1954 March 15
1 article entitled “The Story of the Keg: An Incident of the Great ‘Flores Revolt;’ How General Bidwell’s Keg Cost An Indian
His Life”
2 articles on the Hooker Oak (dated 1934 and 1956)
1934-1956
1 article on the Conical Hill
1926 April 10
Physical Description:
1 article on the Conical Hill
1 article entitled “‘Prince of California Pioneers’ Blazed Trail to West With Missouri Settlers”
1 photograph/card of John Bidwell’s home in Chico
1 photograph/card of the gold medal awarded to General John Bidwell at the Paris Exposition in 1878
1 handwritten letter to the Society of California Pioneers regarding his appointment to present a lecture at one of their
monthly meetings
1897 September 28
1 copy of a letter to Captain Sutter, thanking him for his generosity in employing Bidwell
1851 April 2
1 typed account of the address of John Bidwell to the members of the Society of California Pioneers
1897 November 1
