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There is no other site dedicated to showcasing the unique and diverse qualities that makes Chico such an interesting community. What makes our site unique is that we combine all of what Chico has to offer on one site. We are a local organization dedicated to keeping up with what is happening in and around our area. Making sure our online presence is always updated so those looking for information about Chico and what it has to offer as well as local Chico businesses are always on the leading edge.
So we welcome you to “Chico According To” and hope you enjoy our site and look forward to many years of servicing the Chico area.
The state of California has many towns that are important to the economy and culture of the state. Situated in the Sacramento Valley of Butte County, Chico California is an important industrial and educational center. The Sierra Nevada Brewery is just one of the companies based here and the city is also the site for the California State University.
Nicknamed the ‘City of Roses, City of Trees’; it is surrounded by scenic highpoints, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains to its eastern side.
Founded in 1860, Chico California is often voted very high on polls for the best places to reside in the United States. The city combines commerce with open spaces and cultural pursuits. There are many parks, including a skateboard park and several golf courses. Sports are popular here and the city has basketball, football, soccer and baseball teams. It also hosts the more unusual National Yo-Yo contest and boasts that the city houses the largest yo-yo in working order in the country.
— Bidwell Park —
Bidwell Park is a municipal park located in Chico, California. The park was established July 20, 1905 through the donation by Annie Bidwell(widow of Chico’s founder, John Bidwell) of approximately 2,500 acres of land to the City of Chico. Since that time, the City has purchased additional land, such as Cedar Grove in 1922, and 1,200 acres of land south of Big Chico Creek in upper Bidwell Park in 1995. Today, the total Park size is 3,670 acres, nearly 11 miles in length, making it the third largest municipal park in California and one of the 25 largest city parks in the United States.
Bidwell Park is “divided” by Manzanita Avenue. The area west of Manzanita Avenue is referred to as Lower 
Park and the area to the east is referred to as Upper Park. The noticeable difference between Upper and Lower Park is the terrain. Upper Park is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It has steep terrain and contains many rock formations, including the unique Chico Formation sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt rocks. Lower Park is flat and level with a thick canopy of trees which provide ample shade for the visitor. Special rules also apply in the Upper Park and the road is unpaved for much of its length..……(more about Bidwell Park)
— Bidwell Mansion —
Bidwell Mansion, located at 525 Esplanade in Chico, California, was the home of General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell from the late 1868 until 1900, when Gen. Bidwell died. Annie continued to live there until her death in 1918. John Bidwell began construction of the mansion on his 26,000 acres Rancho del Arroyo Chicoin 1865, during his courtship of Annie Ellicott Kennedy. After their marriage in 1868, the three story, 26 room Victorian house became the social and cultural center of the upper Sacramento Valley. Now a museum and State Historic Park, it is California Historical Landmark #329 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion was a $60,000 project, and was finished in May 1868.
When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The three-story brick structure is built in an informally romantic version of the Italianate style. It also has aspects of the Italian Villa and Octagon house types present. The building’s exterior is finished with a pink tinted plaster.
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— California State University-Chico —
Chico State was founded in 1887 as a result of legislative action founding the Northern Branch State Normal School of California in Chico, California. General John Bidwell donated 8 acres of his cherry orchard to house the school. The Bidwell family turned out to contribute more land and, eventually, their mansion, which was turned into a female dormitory in 1922. The wildcat was chosen as the mascot in 1924. Chico State was officially named California State University—Chico in 1972.
Much of the University’s history involves the main campus, which was originally a cherry orchard. The Bidwell family owned that orchard, and donated portions of it to the school as it grew, ultimately contributing their own home to Chico State. That building served as a dorm, a gymnasium, and a recreation center. Where the “Normal Building” once stood, a new administration building was constructed, after the original facility was destroyed by a fire. In fact, the original cornerstone was used from the old structure to lay the foundation for the new.