Arsonist Destroyed Historic Mansion In NorCal: Authorities

CHICO, CA — The historic Bidwell Mansion was destroyed by arson, authorities confirmed this week.

“This was an intentional act,” Aaron Wright, public safety chief for the Northern Buttes District of California State Parks, told reporters at a press conference Tuesday streamed on YouTube.

The blaze broke out around 3 a.m. Dec. 11 at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park in Chico, severely damaging the building. The park remains closed.

“It’s horrible,” said Wright, who called the mansion “an icon for the community.” “At this time we don’t know who did this and so we are investigating any leads that we can come up with and that we can find.”

The three-story, 26-room mansion was completed in 1868 on behalf of John Bidwell, a pioneer and statesman who founded Chico. According to California State Parks, Bidwell and his wife, Annie, often used the home to entertain friends and guests, including President Rutherford B. Hayes, Susan B. Anthony, and the naturalist John Muir.

The property was recognized as a California Historical Landmark in 1939 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. According to park officials, the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park was closed for extensive renovations that were nearly complete when the fire ignited.

California State Parks said some of the museum's original artifacts had been removed during the renovations but others were in the building when the fire broke out. Officials planned to take a full inventory of the artifacts, but have said it is too early to discuss the park's future.