Experience Butte County


	Fun Fact #31 Feather River has "been out of its banks all week," the local newspaper reported in April 1884.


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	• Historic Victorian Homes • Historical Film Tour of Butte County • Museums
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Historical: Victorian Homes

-- Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, 525 Esplanade, Chico, was home to John and Annie Bidwell until Annie’s death in 1918. John founded Chico in 1860 after buying 28,000 acres with money from a land grant sale and gold he discovered on the Feather River prior to the Gold Rush. Construction of the 26-room mansion began in 1865. The Bidwells entertained prominent Americans, including Susan B. Anthony and John Muir. The 3-story mansion is furnished with Victorian pieces, many of them having belonged to the Bidwells. The carriage house stores four of Bidwell’s carriages. Tours are conducted Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on the hour. Plan 45 minutes to one hour. Call (530) 895-5144 for more information.

-- Stansbury Home, 307 W. 5th St., Chico, was built by Dr. & Mrs. Oscar Stansbury in 1883. The statuesque home was designed in the Italianate Victorian style, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since family members lived in the residence until 1974, it is one of the most original and unaltered Victorian homes in California. Open 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Special tours can be arranged. Cost is $2 for adults; students, $1; under 10 free. Call (530) 895-3848.

-- C.F. Lott Historic Home, 1067 Montgomery St., Oroville, is a Victorian gothic revival style cottage. Built in 1856, it serves as a cultural repository for decorative art objects typically found in Oroville’s pioneer family homes. The collection includes furniture paintings, rugs, textiles, clothes, silver and glassware of the period, 1849-1910. The home was built by Charles Fayette Lott who had joined a wagon train bound for California in 1849. Also on the premises is the Sank Park – an old-fashioned garden. Included are a rose garden, an herb garden, brick walks, fountains, a gazebo and a covered patio which provide spaces for a variety of community uses. Home open 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sun., Mon., & Fri. Closed Dec. 15-Jan. 31. Park open 9 a.m.-9p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sun. Cost for home tour is $2, children under 12 free. Group Tour reservation ($1.50 per person). Call (530) 538-2497 for more information.