California’s Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park Severely Damaged by Fire

The Chico Fire Department responds to a fire at the Bidwell Mansion in Chico, Calif., on Dec. 11, 2024. Chico Fire Department

The Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park in Chico, California, has been nearly destroyed by a fire that broke out in the early hours of Dec. 11.

According to California State Parks, the park has been closed as officials assess the damage. The buildings around the mansion are still intact.

“This is a devastating loss for California State Parks, for the Chico community, and all who cherish the history embodied by the Bidwell Mansion,” California State Parks Director Armando Quintero said in a statement. “For over a century, this beloved landmark has stood as a testament to the legacy of John and Annie Bidwell and the community they helped shape. To see it so severely damaged is a profound loss that we all feel deeply.”

According to the State Parks website, the 156-year-old Victorian House Museum is a historic site and a memorial to the Bidwells, a prominent American family in the late 1800s. John Bidwell is remembered as a pioneer, farmer, politician, and philanthropist, among other roles. His wife, Annie, was also very socially active and committed to various causes.

Their three-story, 26-room home hosted friends and notable guests such as President Rutherford B. Hayes, Gen. William T. Sherman, rights activist Susan B. Anthony, Gov. Leland Stanford, naturalist John Muir, and botanist Asa Gray.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the mansion had already suffered significant damage.

“Crews initiated [a] fire attack utilizing master streams and hand lines in an attempt to control the fire. Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the morning to bring the fire under control,” the Chico Fire Department said.

The mansion was undergoing a major renovation and was nearly done when the fire broke out. During the construction, some original artifacts were taken out, but some remained inside.

“State Parks will take a full inventory of artifacts once what remains of the building is safe to enter. It’s too early to discuss future plans for the state historic park,” the park system said in a statement.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for State Parks said they have no additional information at this time, as the focus now is on investigating the fire.

Several agencies are partnering together to investigate the incident, including the state fire marshal’s office, the Chico Police Department, and California State University–Chico.

The Bidwell Mansion has been a symbol for Chico for more than 150 years and is loved by the community and visitors, said the local fire department.

“The City of Chico Fire Marshall is working directly with State Parks and state investigators to determine the cause of the fire,” City of Chico Mayor Kasey Reynolds said in a statement. “As we recover from the loss of our iconic Bidwell Mansion, we’ll continue to rely on the strength of our community to move forward.”