Chicago December 12, 2024
The historic Bidwell Mansion in Northern California was destroyed in a fire on Wednesday morning.
The Bidwell Mansion, a California State Park, was engulfed in flames around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Chico Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Chris Zinko told USA TODAY. The department received a report of an illegal burn at the mansion and upon its response, the full structure was involved and personnel were unable to perform an offense attack.
Located in Chico, the Bidwell Mansion was a Victorian home and museum built by John Bidwell in the 1860s. A pioneer, politician and philanthropist, Bidwell lived in the mansion with his life Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell. Earlier this year, the mansion closed for restorations.
According to the California State Parks website, the mansion was expected to re-open by early 2025. California State University, Chico, which was the mansion’s neighbor, shared in a Facebook post that a few buildings on campus would be closed on Wednesday to allow firefighters and law enforcement continue their response.For a period of time, the mansion was a dormitory for the Chico State Teachers College and years later, it became known as “Bidwell Hall,” housing classrooms and offices.
