Located in Chico

Management Unit: Bidwell Mansion

Bidwell Mansion

525 Esplanade

Chico CA 95926

(530) 895-6144

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms

Description:

BIDWELL MANSION was the home of General John Bidwell and his wife Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell from the time of their marriage in 1868 until the end of their lives in 1900 and 1918 respectively. Construction of the 26-room mansion began in 1865, prior to John Bidwell's first introduction to his future bride, which occurred late in 1865. The Bidwells were married April 16, 1868 in Washington, D.C. with then President Andrew Johnson and future president Ulysses S. Grant among the guests. During their courtship and prior to their marriage, the Bidwells planned the furnishings of the Mansion as well as the finishing stages of construction. Henry W. Cleaveland was the architect of the $56,000 house.

The most modern gas lighting, plumbing and water systems were installed, and every detail of hardware and handwork was meticulously finished, The overall style of the Three-story brick structure was that of an Italian villa or country estate; an informal, warmly romantic style that was further heightened by covering the brick walls with pink-tinted plaster and painting the wood trim a complimentary brown tone. The outside and inside walls were two thicknesses of brick with an air space in between.

On the ground floor is a vary spacious entry hall, a formal parlor, dining room, library and the General's office. The kitchen and laundry room were located in the rear. Surrounded by a balcony over the wide first floor veranda, the second story contains five bedrooms, two bathrooms, servants' quarters, and a room equipped by Mrs. Bidwell in which she taught Indian girls to sew. A ballroom and six additonal guest rooms are located on the third floor, plus a private office for the General.

All of these rooms were filled with furniture of the Victorian era; dark, gleaming wood polished to a high degree, with many tables topped with marble. Off-white lace curtains and wall to wall carpeting, together with marbleized slate fireplaces, completed this decor.

The Bidwells were firm advocates of western hospitality and the Mansion was used extensively for the entertainment of friends and special guests. Some of their guests included President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Govenor Leland Standford, John Muir, Asa Gray and Sir Joseph Hooker.

How to Get There:

Located at 525 Esplanade in Chico, Ca.

Other Important Information:

Interpretive Site

Four miles west of Chico, Ca.

Management Unit: Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

12105 River Road

Chico, CA 95926

Amenities:

• Site Fee
• River Access
• Canoeing
• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Interpretive Trail
• Boat Launch Area
• Wildlife Watching

Description:

Approximately five miles west of Chico, the park is located adjacent to a four mile stretch of the Sacramento River. It consists of an extraordinarily sensitive, ecologically noteworthy remnant of the Sacramento River. Open for day-use, the park offers areas for fishing, picnicking, hiking, boat-launching and river floating. Visitors interested in rafting, kayaking, canoeing, or inner-tubing can float down the river from the Irvine Finch River Access Site, past the tall riparian forest to Big Chico Creek, taking in the peace and beauty of a rich variety of landscapes. The very lucky may observe such elusive creatures as the osprey, the red fox, or perhaps a white sturgeon or migrating steelhead hiding in the coolness of underwater root-tangles. A truly fortunate birdwatcher might even spot the rare yellow-billed cuckoo.

This park preserves a fine example of a disappearing natural resource-the riverine habitat. The river's varous landscapes display great scenic beauty and constant change. The riparian-or water-loving-plants and animal communities here depend strongly on each other. Thickets of willows along the water-course identify the "meander" line of the wandering river, also marking an occasional "oxbow" lake or small island formed by the river's restless journey. Massive oaks and cottonwoods give the dense shade needed for the survival of cool-water creatures. Thick understories of elderberry, wild grape, blackberry, wild rose and numerous perennials provide shelter to a diversified wildlife population. This is a habitat rich in variety, deserving of protection and respect.

By far the major activity to be enjoyed at Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is bank or boat fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad. The next most popular activity is "cruising down the river." The float trip from the Irvine Finch River Access to Big Chico Creek takes from two and a half to three hours, depending on your method of transportation. The river is suitable for floating in kayaks, canoes, rafts and innertubes which may be launched at Irvine Finch, pine Creek or Scotty's boat landing. Check with the concessionaires for availability and rental of kayaks, rafts, or innertubes. Contact the park for information on natue walks and other events and activities.

The Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park offers you a rare experience in a unique enviornment. The river's riparian habitat, one of California's few remaining such areas, is home to seasonal migrations as well as providing the year-round habitat for several endangered species such as salmon, bank swallows, Swainson's hawks and river otters.

How to Get There:

For Lower Park Enterence: Take I-5 to Hwy 32 heading east all the way into Chico. Go Left on E 9th Street, Go Left on Salem Street, Go Right on E 4th Street to park entrance. For Upper Park Entrance: Take I-5 to Hwy 32 heading East all the way into Chico. Go Left on E-9th Street, Go Left on Bruce Road, turn on Manzanita to park entrance.

Tips:

Bring supplies- you might need sunscreen, thirst- quenching drinks and food. The float from Irvine Finch to Big Chico Creek usually takes up to 3 hours, and there are few services along the river.

Clean up after yourself- there are trash cans at Irvine Finch Access and at Big Chico Creek.

Dogs are not allowed on the gravel bar at Big Chico Creek, unless they are passing through on a boat.

Please do not disturb others with loud music or car stereos-most people come to the park to enjoy the peace and serenity of the natural surroundings.

Do not park your vehicle within 75 feet of the shore. The river shore is a very sensitive environment-vehicles disturb shorebirds and salmon fry, compact the soil around the river and vehicles emissions and fluids can pollute it.

Learn to identify poison oak- and avoid it.

Fee(s) Charged:Yes

$3.00 Per Vehicle

Other Important Information:

Though a field investigation of the present Bidwell-Sacramento River Park revealed no apparent archaeological sites, it is known that this area was inhabited by members of the Chico Maidu tribe. Local historical accounts describe the customs of native populations, and their near-decimation during the cholera epidemic of 1833. Diaries of John Bidwell indicate the the Mechoopda tribe had a fishing weir upstream from the confluence of Big Chico Creek and the Sacramento River. It is possible that the lack of archaeological remains is a result of bluff erosion and river meandering which washed away former tribal sites. This area is part of a Mexican land-grant once called "Rancho del Arroyo Chico", and was purchased in 1849 by pioneer, prize-winning argriculturist, statesman, and philanthropist John Bidwell.

In 1908 the "Bidwell River Park" area was gifted by Annie E. Kennedy Bidwell, widow of John Bidwell, to the State of California.

About:

The 209-acre Genetic Resource and Conservation Center is located in the city of Chico, about 50 miles east of the Mendocino National Forest. Since beginning operations in 1917 as part of the U.S.D.A. Plant Introduction Station, the Center has been a site of advances in agriculture and tree improvement. Today, the Center is a key link in reforestation efforts. Native conifer tree seedlings, developed with the most desirable characteristics for growth, vigor and disease resistance, are grown at the Center and then planted in National Forests throughout the state. The Center is also involved in chemical, biological and clinical research projects that search for treatments for cancer, using such plants as the Pacific Yew.

Self-Guiding Nature Trail:

The Comanche Trail: (1 mile loop) meanders through a unique botanical area in Edgar Slough which has remnants of exotic species that were planted when this was a Plant Introduction Center. During normal work hours employees are available to answer questions. Visitors may sign in at the main office and request a trail guide listing the common names of trees viewed along the Trail. The Center is generally open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About the trail:

The major portion of the trail is located west of the Center's main office. The trail can be entered near the main office or from the west end of the trail. There is also a small section of paved trail just north of the main office which extends the trail eastward to the main road. Signs have been placed to identify many of the trees on the trail. These signs include the botanical name and common name if known. The signs are numbered to correspond with the numbers in the free trail guide. Plants on the trail which have not been identified are either native plants common to this area, plants for which identification can no longer be verified by available records, or duplicates of plants already identified in the trail guide.

Other features of the Trail:

The trail area supports an abundance of wildlife including: birds, snakes, rabbits, squirrels, rodents, insects, and many other species. These are listed in the trail guide. California Wild Grape vines adorn many areas along the trail and the wide variety of other vegetation enhances the wildlife habitat. Small wood box-like structures attached to trees along the trail were constructed to provide housing for wood ducks (side entrance) and for bats (bottom entrance). For your safety and theirs, please observe our wildlife inhabitants from a distance.

Picnic tables and benches are located along the trail for lunch or for you to just sit, rest, and enjoy the sounds, smells, and view.

Each season offers a different perspective of the nature trail. In spring you'll find flowers in blooms; in summer a cool place to relax; in fall leaf colors to rival those in New England; and in winter, bare branches revealing migratory birds and nests perched high above the ground.

Additionally arboretums identified in the trail guide are filled with a variety of trees planted during the Plant Introduction days of the Center. On the eastern side of the arboretums are the "Ma" and "Pa" kiwi plants, the oldest producing kiwis in the United States. A Camptotheca tree and a cork oak, also planted during the Plant Introduction era, are located in the parking lot area between the arboretums.