History of Chico, California (original) (raw)

The history of Chico, California, begins with the original inhabitants, the Mechoopda Maidu. The city of Chico was founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, a member of one of the first wagon trains to reach California in 1841. The city became incorporated January 8, 1872. Historian identified five events as the most seminal in Chico history. They were