for 30 years a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Chico's cultural heritage
When we think of John Bidwell we usually think of him as the founder of Chico, politician, gold miner, etc. . We forget his main focus, that of farmer and rancher. His Rancho Chico had a diverse agricultural background with many different crops. He also had a dairy and sold milk in bulk and bottles to the commuity. This early photo shows the Rancho Chico Dairy delivery wagon, probably about 1890.
This photo is a very early view of Bidwell Mansion, circa 1868, taken shortly after completion. It was taken by E. A. Kusel who primarily photographed in Oroville but at that time he was also working in Chico. The grounds are newly planted. There is a man standing on the balcony as well as people on the porch. It looks like John and Annie are sitting there. A boy is in the foreground. It is a CARTE DE’ VISITE or calling card photo. Early photos like this are very scarce and hard to find.
This is the Butte County National Bank, around 1905 or so. It was on the South East corner of Second and Broadway. It was one of 2 major banks in early Chico, the other being the Bank of Chico which was across the street. (I am also attaching a photo of it, perhaps for next month, as I will be on vacation in June and won’t be able to send another until July). The Butte County Bank later became the Bank of Italy and then the Bank of America. It eventually morphed into Chevy’s restaurant and is now Jamba Juice, Crush restaurant and Burgers and Brews. Note the upstairs window says O. Stansbury / Physician & Surgeon.
The Bank of Chico was a commercial bank and was next door to Cornforth Grocers on the South West Corner of Second and Broadway. It has been many banks over the years and is presently Chase Bank. Second and Broadway was the financial center of Chico.
The Morehead block was shoppers mecca in the 1930′s. Here is the west side of broadway on a beautiful morning in the early 1930′s. You are looking north from the corner of 4th Street at the Morehead Block. The Peoples Bank on the corner was famous for its sidewalk clock. The Sprouse-Reitz store anounced an upcoming expansion with a sign. Some of the old businesses on the street included Mordoff Photo Studios, Charles Clifford’s Jewelry Store, Bartlett Drug Company, Koutchis Candy Store and Fountain, E. Maude Kuhlke Millinery Shop and Lee Pharmacy. A delivery truck for Mother’s Cookies is parked down the street. Upstairs in the Morehead are Dr. A.C. Muller’s Dollar Clinic, Lawyer W.E. Rothe’s office, a dentist office and a beauty shop.