Well folks, this is the last stop on the Freakin' Green Elf Shorts USA Tour. I have returned to my once and future home.
Probably the most famous landmark in Chico is the Bidwell Mansion...
John Bidwell was a general in the army, a politician, and ran for president on the Prohibition Ticket. He basically founded the city of Chico (ignoring, of course, the Mechoopda Indians who had lived here for hundreds of years).
Bidwell donated land for a huge and beautiful public park, named after him of course. He also gave land next to the mansion to establish a teachers college, which later became California State University, Chico. Dozens and dozens of businesses have "Bidwell" in their names, even though he had nothing to do with them, nor did he have any children to carry on the name.
He and his wife Annie are generally considered heroes by locals, but there are documented instances of oppression and attempted cultural and physical genocide.
So, while John Bidwell may not have personally killed any Native Americans, he materially supported people who did. He abetted and benefited from the enslavement, murder and removal of the native population. So fuck him.
But getting back to Bidwell Mansion, when I departed Chico in November, the mansion looked like the top picture. By the time I returned, it looked like this...
On the night of December 11th, 2024, the mansion burned. Investigators deemed it arson. A suspect has been arrested and has pleaded no contest. No one was harmed in the blaze.
If my irreverent attitude shocks you, what can I say but "fuck the Bidwells".
Sorry/not sorry to end the tour on a bitter note. Keep your eyes peeled for my official FGES caption contest. Cheers.
