Chico

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Chico

California, United States

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 15, 2024 • Article History

News •

Historic Bidwell Mansion in Chico destroyed by fire, Californians mourn loss • Dec. 12, 2024, 1:17 AM ET (USA Today)

Chico, city, Butte county, northern California, U.S. Chico lies in the Sacramento River valley, nearly 90 miles (145 km) north of Sacramento. It was founded in 1860 by John Bidwell, a state congressman and horticulturist, and developed as an agricultural-processing centre, especially for almonds, rice, and fruit. Manufacturing initially consisted of a match factory established in 1904, and after World War II there was planned diversified industrial expansion. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park includes the 26-room Victorian home (1868) of John Bidwell. Other attractions include Bidwell Park (one of the country’s largest municipal parks), the Chico Museum, which contains a former Taoist temple, and a vintage train station. The city is the seat of California State University, Chico, founded as a normal school (teacher-training college) in 1887. Nearby is Bidwell–Sacramento River State Park. Inc. 1872. Pop. (2000) 59,954; Chico Metro Area, 203,171; (2010) 86,187; Chico Metro Area, 220,000.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.