A visit to Chico is not complete without a walk through the history of the Bidwell Mansion. The mid-1800s Italianate mansion holds ornate furniture of the Victorian era.
The park now honors the founders of the city of Chico, CA, John and Annie Bidwell. The elaborate home featured the most modern plumbing, gaslighting and water systems available at that time. This made the Bidwell’s Mansion the social and cultural center of the Sacramento Valley.
John Bidwell was known nationwide as an important pioneer, politician, and philanthropist. The daughter of a prominent Washington politician, Annie found her own social causes. She was a prominent figure in the suffrage and prohibition movements.
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Bidwell Mansion Facts
- The movie, The Thin Man filmed some scenes inside the mansion.
- From 1925-1935, the mansion transformed to serve as the dormitory for nearby Chico State University. It was dubbed Bidwell Hall during this time.
Bidwell Mansion Information
The tour consists of three stories and approximately 50 stairs. The first floor is accessible via an exterior ramp. The upper levels are only accessible via the stairs. The current operating days are Saturday-Monday. (Check their site for full hours)Our tour lasted approximately an hour with a cost of $6 each.
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