Annie Bidwell
Annie Bidwell's full name was Annie Ellicott Kennedy, she was daughter of Joseph C. G. Kennedy, a politician of the Whig party. The Kennedy family lived in Washington, D.C. when Annie was 10. When she was a teenager, she became part of the Presbyterian Church. She was in charge of the building of a Presbyterian Church in Chico, California. Annie married John Bidwell on April 16,1868 in Washington D.C.
After their marriage, Annie returned with her new husband to his home in Chico, California. Annie was worried for the future of the local Mechoopda, Annie was active in state and national Indian associations. She was also an amateur botanist who found, in the acreage around her home, the first specimen of a small annual plant later called Bidwell’s knotweed.
After her husband's death Annie still remained Chico, the town her husband founded. Her final act of benevolence was to donate to the city of Chico on July 10, 1905, some 2,238 acres (almost ten square miles) of land, along with a Children's Park in downtown Chico. Since then the land has remained in the public trust and is now known as Bidwell Park. The Bidwell Mansion in Chico is now preserved as a state historic park.
After their marriage, Annie returned with her new husband to his home in Chico, California. Annie was worried for the future of the local Mechoopda, Annie was active in state and national Indian associations. She was also an amateur botanist who found, in the acreage around her home, the first specimen of a small annual plant later called Bidwell’s knotweed.
After her husband's death Annie still remained Chico, the town her husband founded. Her final act of benevolence was to donate to the city of Chico on July 10, 1905, some 2,238 acres (almost ten square miles) of land, along with a Children's Park in downtown Chico. Since then the land has remained in the public trust and is now known as Bidwell Park. The Bidwell Mansion in Chico is now preserved as a state historic park.