Historic Sites In Chico, CA

Begin at the Beginning

Born in 1819, John Bidwell led the first overland expedition to California when he was 22. When he struck gold on the Feather River near Oroville, he bought 26,000 acres beside Chico Creek, and in 1860 founded Chico.

Step Into Another Era

Built by Dr. & Mrs. Oscar Stansbury in 1883, this home was designed in the Italianate Victorian style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the most original and unaltered homes in California.

Look Up & Down & All Around in This 140-yr. old Chico Icon

The building was completed in 1871, with the upper story housing the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges, and the ground floor housing a hardware store, along with agricultural implements, wagons, buggies, and, of course, buggy whips.

Beautiful Butte Creek Canyon & Some Gems Along the Way

The drive is nice since it offers a view of Butte Creek Canyon from the other side of the creek. The road turns to gravel, and about a mile past Centerville, it crosses a PG&E flume, popular for jogging and walking.