Historian Michele Shover’s effort to tell a more nuanced story of John Bidwell, considered the founder of Chico, began in 1989 when a footnote in a book caught her by surprise.
“I found it diametrically opposed to what people thought about Bidwell,” Shover said of the passage containing the footnote.
Shover, now 83, is retired from Chico State where she served as chair of the Department of Political Science. Her research on John Bidwell and Northern California Indian-settler conflicts of the 1850s has often been cited; she published articles based on primary research on Butte County history during more than four decades.read more
Long neglected Mechoopda history could play a bigger part in next project
By Yucheng Tang | Posted April 13, 2025
photo by Yucheng Tang
Browning Neddeau in front of the ruins of Bidwell Mansion
(The is the first story in a three-part series on the destruction of Bidwell Mansion and the role the Mansion played in our community.)
Chico State Associate Professor Browning Neddeau made his first and only visit to Bidwell Mansion, a local landmark from the 1800s associated with the founding of Chico, in 2019.
During the tour, Neddeau and his father, who belong to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, asked their tour guide some hard questions about the Native American experience during the era of John Bidwell — who is known as the founder of the city – but they felt that their questions were ignored.read more
Butte County contingent prepares for global action on climate change
By Leslie Layton | Posted August 28, 2018
photo by Karen Laslo
Ali Meders-Knight shows her painting next to the Mechoopda basket (lower right) that provided inspiration.
When Ali Meders-Knight was asked to provide mural art for the local contingent at the upcoming San Francisco march for climate action, she thought of the basket designs used by her Mechoopda ancestors.
She thought about historical descriptions of the Northern Sacramento Valley, when birds and butterflies were so numerous they sometimes blocked any view of the sky.
And before that day was out, she had a painting that will be used as a template for a mural panel at San Francisco Civic Center.
Some 60 Chico-area residents are expected at the Sept. 8 RISE for Climate, Jobs & Justice march in San Francisco that has been promoted as a major action to demand an end to fossil-fuel reliance and more governmental and private-sector support for renewable energy development.read more
