Chico’s Chapmans: The California Years 1861-1899

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Augustus Gus and Sarah Chapman were among Chico’s early leaders in the years it grew from a tiny farm village into one of Northern California’s agricultural centers shipping products world-wide. Beginning with Gus Chapman’s start as manager of the Bidwell & Co. general store, he became a major lumber dealer, real estate developer, and finally president of the State Prison Commission in charge of San Quentin and Folsom.

Chico’s Chapmans explores the lives of Chico’s talented, sometimes scrappy residents and their struggles. They sparred over the Civil War, incorporation, politics, fire protection, temperance and water. They unified behind splitting Butte County, trains, and developing the town. None was exempt from national depressions, illness, and early death. For decades, church women who volunteered as social workers also comprised the town’s social sets. Young people partied until early morning and flirted on long drives in the country. Bars and brothels flourished a few blocks from fine homes while the community hall hosted dances, debates, and traveling entertainers. This was the world of the Chapmans, their friends and rivals.