The historic Bidwell Mansion in Northern California was destroyed in a fire on Wednesday morning.
The Bidwell Mansion, a California State Park, was engulfed in flames around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Chico Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Chris Zinko told USA TODAY. The department received a report of an illegal burn at the mansion and upon its response, the full structure was involved and personnel were unable to perform an offense attack.
The Chico Fire Department, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Chico Police Department, California State University Chico Police Department, California State Parks and state investigators are looking over video footage of an individual leaving the area at the time of the fire, Zinko said.
Located in Chico, the Bidwell Mansion was a Victorian home and museum built by John Bidwell in the 1860s. A pioneer, politician and philanthropist, Bidwell lived in the mansion with his life Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell.
When constructed, the mansion featured the most modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems, according to the California State Parks website. The style of the home was Italian Villa, an informal, romantic style. The Bidwells often used the mansion for entertaining and guests who visited included President Rutherford B. Hayes, women’s suffragist Susan B. Anthony, California Gov. Leland Stanford and mountaineer John Muir.
Earlier this year, the mansion closed for restorations. According to the California State Parks website, the mansion was expected to re-open by early 2025.