As smoke billowed from the remains of Bidwell Mansion Wednesday afternoon, residents walked along the road where the mansion once stood. Some stopped to study the building’s remains, which were smoldering and burning quietly.
Near the burned-down building, Chico State student Grace Johnston spoke with NSPR. Johnston has a class near the mansion and wanted to come see the destroyed building.
“I think they should definitely try and preserve what’s left and just remember how much it meant to Chico,” Johnston said. “I think at this point it’s kind of beyond repair. But I think it’s just about remembering it at this point.”
One resident, Mollie MacArthy Openshaw, was viewing the grounds and told NSPR she was saddened by the loss.
“Being a local and seeing it for the first time is pretty devastating,” Openshaw said. “[Bidwell Mansion] stands for what Chico is … the beauty of Chico.”
Openshaw tries taking her grandchildren to spots in Chico that she grew up cherishing, she said. Bidwell Mansion was one place she remembers visiting as a child.
“The saddest part is I’m not going to be able to share this home with my grandchildren and let them see the beauty,” Openshaw said.
Resident Joey Haney came to view the remains.
“It’s always sad when artifacts and objects from an older time are destroyed and burnt up,” Haney said. “Personally, it’s poignant because I never got a chance in my 13 years of living in Chico to do a tour. I always thought ‘I could do it next year.’”
Bidwell Mansion caught fire Wednesday morning around 3 a.m. The building has stood in Chico since 1868 as the former home of John and Annie Bidwell – the city of Chico’s founders.
Officials are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
North Valley Community Foundation has started a fundraising campaign to support a rebuilding effort.
Community members can donate online or at any Tri Counties Bank location.
