Bidwell Mansion in Chico.
My son phoned me early this morning to inform me that the Bidwell Mansion in Chico was destroyed by fire.
Historic Italianate construction was finished
in May 1868.
When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured modern plumbing, gas lighting, and water systems. The three-story brick structure was built in an informally romantic version of the Italianate style, which also included aspects of the Italian Villa and Octagon house types. The building's exterior was finished with pink-tinted plaster.
John Bidwell was well-known and instrumental in early California - history.
This fire is a huge loss, not just to the house but also to all the historical contents of the mansion.
Once every couple of years,
we would go down (about 60 miles) and take a tour.
The last time we were there was before 2020.
It had been closed down for restoration.
They are investigating the cause. Some reports saw someone running from the house (arson), and others speculated if it had anything to do with the restoration.
It's a total loss.
Now I wish I had taken more photos.
In the 1892 presidential election, Bidwell was the nominee of the Prohibition Party. The ticket of Bidwell and James B. Cranfill of Texas finished fourth nationwide, receiving 271,058 votes, or 2.3%. It was the most significant total vote and the highest percentage of the vote received by any Prohibition Party national ticket. Their most substantial result was in Minnesota, receiving over five percent of the vote.
I hope that while they were closed due to restoration, they at least saved most of the furniture and historical documents.
I feel bad for the town of Chico -
How awful! Please let us know when you find out the cause.
ReplyDeleteThe investigation takes time.
DeleteThat is so sad! And even worse if it was arson. I just hate to see all that history gone.
ReplyDeleteVery sad
DeleteOh no, yes, please keep us informed.
ReplyDeleteP.S. How are the young boys doing from the school shooting? Continuing to pray.
Posted about that today
Deletehttps://myshastahome.blogspot.com/2024/12/rain-memories-tip-and-latest-on-elias.html
this hurts my heart. we have many homes here like this, built so many years ago and my first thought was of all the historical articles in the home.. I do the same thing here, with Ringling Musuem and the Ca da Zan house.
ReplyDeleteI still haven’t heard about the contents of the home.
DeleteSuch a shame, Debby! This mansion was, indeed, a gorgeous landmark, and I'm certain it will be missed by all in Chico and beyond.
ReplyDeleteIt was an icon in Chico. The grounds are still there; Bidwell park. Perhaps they’ll have some historical marker there. It’s a shame.
DeleteOh that's terrible! What a tragic loss of a beautiful, historical house!
ReplyDeleteThey said the whole house was engulfed by the time the fire department got there - like kindling.
DeleteArson was my first thought, too. I hope not, only because I have trouble wrapping my brain around the "why?" and "what would possess someone?"
ReplyDeleteWho knows. We have a lot of arsonists here. The big Park Fire this summer was caused by an arsonist who actually pleaded not guilty - he was seen pouring gas on his car, and pushing in down a ravine.
DeleteOh that is awful. Back in 2001 my husband Ken was commissioned to build a scale model of the Bidwell Mansion and it was displayed in a hotel in Chico. (don't know which one).
ReplyDeleteDon't think I can add a picture here but I'll put a picture of it on my blog for you to see.
My goodness - how cool is that? It was probably the Hotel Diamond built in 1904. I’d love to see the photo.
DeleteWhat a shame! It's always hard to lose a piece of history.
ReplyDeleteI’m a history buff and it bothers me that I will not ever see it again. We were just saying a few weeks ago, we wanted to see it next year when renovation were complete.
DeleteFinally figured out how to comment again on your blog. I've been reading it but couldn't comment for a while now.
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to see this beautiful home burned down. I only toured it once many years ago when a friend of mine was attending Chico State but have driven by it many times. The one thing that sticks in my mind were the pictures that were made of human hair that was collected from the hair brushes. It looks like there was some restoration going on? Wonder if something to do with that caused the fire.
I wondered where you were. I had to shut down anonymous comments due to some spam. Glad you figured it out!
DeleteThat was common in that time - mourning art or jewelry. In the Crocker Museum in Sacramento there is a wreath made with human hair.
There was a restoration going on at the time - that’s what I thought but still investigating since someone saw a man walking away from the house at the time of the fire.
What a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Debby.
Very sad - it will be missed.
DeleteOh no, I do hope they find out the cause, and that some of the papers and furnishings were somewhere else during the restoration.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I haven’t heard yet.
DeleteOh I hope some of the historical items were in safe keeping during the restoration and that they are now safe. What a terrible thing to see so much history up in flames. Let us know what the investigators find out about the fire.
ReplyDeleteSue
Right now all I’m hearing is how the community is grieving.
DeleteWhat a horrible loss for everyone. So sad when history is lost. Janice
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteHow very sad. And whether it's arson or accidental, the loss is immeasurable. It reminds me of similar things that have happened on Catalina Island and the deliberate destruction (under cover of darkness) of historic homes just to make way for something more modern.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true - I anxiously await what the investigation reveals.
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