Bidwell Mansion Association

08/28/2026

OPEN TODAY AND TOMORROW! Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center and General's Store are open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

08/27/2026

Thanks, BaT Comics!

Chico's Bidwell Mansion has been immortalized on the exclusive cover of a comic book.

08/26/2026

The Visitor Center and the General's Store are open at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, Fridays and Saturdays, 10-3. Come in for history and unique gifts!

08/21/2026

A Former Employee Recalls John Bidwell:

Of his experience working for John Bidwell, John R. Widener said:
"Yes, I remember John Bidwell well. He was the kindest and most affectionate man I have ever worked for. He always had a smile for every one of his employees and any time he wanted any of them to do anything it was always with a please and a thank you after it was done." (Sacramento Bee, Friday, January 19, 1934)

John Widener was born into slavery in 1856 in Missouri. When he was only a few months old, the man who claimed ownership of Widener’s family sold his father and took his mother and the baby, along with another enslaved man, to California. They went from Sacramento to Nevada City, where John Widener’s mother worked as a cook in a hotel. Most of her earnings were turned over to her owner, but what money she could earn on her own she saved until she was able to buy freedom for herself and her baby.

Many years later, when he was 77 years old, John Widener was interviewed by the Oroville correspondent for the Sacramento Bee. He and his mother had moved to Oroville in 1868, when he was 12. Just two years later the young teenager went to work for John Bidwell, probably doing ordinary labor. In 1874 he was hired by Bidwell as a personal or house servant. On January 19th Bidwell wrote in his diary: "Employed John Widener (colored) at $20 per month, to begin tomorrow." This was a typical servant’s wage for the period.

He left Bidwell’s employ in August 1874. In his diary Bidwell wrote: "John Widener again down with hernia – sent for Dr. Dawson. A few days later Widener went to San Francisco to stay with his mother and stepfather."

More at

John R. Widener was born into slavery in 1856 in Missouri. When he was only a few months old, the man who claimed ownership of Widener’s family sold his father and took his mother and the bab…

08/14/2026

Why does Chico have a street named So-Wil-Len-No Avenue and what does the name mean?

So-Wil-Len-No Avenue runs alongside Chico Creek from The Esplanade to Arcadian Avenue, bordering Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. At Arcadian it turns into a campus road, and ends at Tehama Hall. Once upon a time it went further, at least as far as Warner Street. No structure has an address on So-Wil-Len-No. It is sometimes spelled without the hyphens, as Sowillenno Avenue.

The avenue was named by Annie Bidwell for her dear friend, Maggie Lafonso. Maggie’s Indian name, according to Annie’s notebook, was So-will-len-no, as seen in the image. Maggie’s name is the last in the list. The notebook is now in the Bancroft Library.

Maggie Lafonso was the daughter of Amanda and Holai Lafonso, the Mechoopda rancheria chief. Annie seems to have known that Amanda was the daughter of John Bidwell. If so, Maggie was John Bidwell’s grand-daughter, although there is no firm evidence. Maggie was certainly someone to whom Annie gave particular attention and care.

Maggie is frequently mentioned in Annie Bidwell’s diary. She had a lovely singing voice and often sang in the Mechoopda church. She worked together with Annie in establishing the church, and took part in teaching and leading worship services. Annie relied on her as a liaison with the Indians on the rancheria and as a co-worker in Christian good works.

On December 21, 1907, Maggie, aged 25, married Joseph Mitchell, an Indian from Colusa. Sadly, Maggie passed away after childbirth in 1909 and her baby too died. Annie, who had visited her frequently in her illness, was overwhelmed with sorrow at the death of her “beloved Maggie,” and memorialized her in the name of the avenue that runs alongside Bidwell Mansion.

08/09/2026

John Bidwell and Annie enjoyed his birthday celebration at the reopened Visitor Center. (Robyn Engel and Nick Anderson)

08/07/2026

Wish the General a Happy 207th Birthday! He will make an appearance on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Visitor Center with his lovely wife Annie. Revisit the exhibits and shop at the General's Store. Lots of new items!

08/04/2026

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park’s visitor center in Chico will reopen for regular weekend hours starting Aug. 7, with free admission, a $10 parking fee, new exhibit access, gift shop sales supporting park programs, and public input being sought to help shape the park’s recovery after the 2024 arson fire that severely damaged the mansion. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local/chicos-bidwell-mansion-visitor-center-reopens-after-2024-arson-fire/article_2e289924-5e8f-4ea6-a2c0-ba89daba9405.html

08/04/2026

We’re excited to share some welcome summer news: the Visitor Center at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park will reopen on Friday, August 7!

Beginning that weekend, the Visitor Center will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can browse the General’s Store, take in the historical displays, and learn more about the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion process. We’ve been stocking the store with some exciting new items, including California Bear Hug products, tea from local maker Lagom Infusions, some women’s suffrage-themed goodies, and more!

Please stop by on Saturday, August 8, for cookies in celebration of John Bidwell’s birthday and to enjoy the reopening weekend!