Bidwell Mansion

Bidwell Mansion Bidwell Ranch as visible in Birdseye view of Chico 1871

Location

525 Esplanade

Hours

Tuesday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm

Closed Monday

Phone

(530)895-6144

Website

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460

Owner(s)

California State Parks

Entrance Fees

Adult 18 and over: $4.00

Youth 5-17: $2.00

Children 4 and under: Free

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park (more commonly called Bidwell Mansion) is currently a part of the California State Parks service. It was the home of Chico's founder John Bidwell and his wife, Annie. It is a three story Victorian home with 26 rooms. Tours of the house are available, which last about 50 minutes and include most of the interior. School children growing up in Chico can count on getting at least one tour of the mansion during their elementary school years, as it has been a common field trip destination for generations. In addition to group tours, there is a visitor center with information about the mansion and the Bidwells and a gift shop. Bidwell mansion allows visitors a chance to get a peek into Chico's past and an opportunity to learn more about the pioneer who founded it.

The mansion was a $60,000 project, and was finished in May 1868.¹

The property surrounding Bidwell Mansion is host to many exotic species of plants. In front of the mansion is an enormous Magnolia tree. But perhaps the weirdest tree of all is the Monkey Puzzle Tree, from Chile. It may very well be over 100 years old!²

East side of Bidwell Mansion with Stables in view

Monkey Puzzle Tree at Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center

See also

• Annie Ellicott Kennedy Anderson bench
  

• Northern California Natural History Museum
  

• Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center
  

• Bidwell Footbridge

Comments:

2009-04-02 23:19:55   I would love to read the sign's. what do they say? —69.120.164.85