OTHER TIDBITS: Mr. John Bidwell found gold near here in 1848, shortly after the discovery at Sutter’s Mill! Naturally, this became a big target for prospectors, and a whole town sprung up around Bidwell’s Bar! Over the years, the county seat skipped gradually downriver, from Hamilton, to Bidwell, to Oroville, where it sits today! Bidwell’s suspension bridge kept the town relevant until 1937, when the Feather River Highway made the bridge obsolete!

• Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
• Become a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West!
• Donate to the Native Daughters of the Golden West!
• Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!

ANNOTATIONS:
This plaque is located in the parking lot at the very north end of Bidwell Canyon Road!

From Los Angeles: ~462mi (744km) — 7.7hrs
From Sacramento: ~77mi (124km) — 1.3hrs
From San Diego: ~580mi (934km) — 9.7hrs
From San Francisco: ~158mi (255km) — 2.7hrs