Our Mission William B. The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the Ide Adobe people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, State Historic Park protecting its most valued natural and Escape back in time and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. experience the sights and

sounds of the California frontier at an 1852 adobe homestead overlooking California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who the banks of the peaceful need assistance should contact the park at (530) 529-8599. This publication is available Sacramento River. in alternate formats by contacting:

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS Discover theP. O. ma Boxny 942896states of California.™ Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 Discover(916) 653-6995, the man outsidey states theof California.™ U.S. 711, TTY relay service

Discover the many states of California.™ www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™

William B. Ide Adobe SHP 21659 Adobe Road Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-8599

© 2008 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper A t the northern end of Settlers could not agree on their next steps. They the Sacramento Valley, The first non-native divided; some took their captives to Sutter’s flanked by the Cascade settlers arrived in the fort. Those remaining in Sonoma selected Mountains on the east northern Sacramento Ide as their commander. Ide drafted a and the Coast Range on Valley in the 1840s. proclamation declaring the newly formed the west, William B. Ide Two Mexican land “California Republic.” Adobe State Historic Park grants downriver Though the California Republic lasted only stands as a memorial from this area were 25 days before Navy Commodore John D. to one of the leading awarded to Peter Sloat raised the American flag at Monterey, participants in the Bear Lassen and Josiah this important chapter of California history is Cottonwood Trail along the Sacramento River Flag Revolt. The park, Belden, who later sold still known as the “Bear Flag Revolt.” nestled along the banks of the Sacramento out to Massachusetts native William B. Ide. Bluffton Ranch River 100 miles north of Sacramento, is a William B. Ide and the Bear Flag Revolt Like William B. Ide, the pioneer owners symphony of wildlife sounds and gentle With very little formal education, and of the property originally called Bluffton winds rustling through aged oaks. You can trained as a carpenter, William B. Ide (1796- Ranch arrived in California with visions of enjoy a picnic by the river, saunter through 1852) followed the frontier as it gradually opportunity. Faced with challenges, they the historic homestead or attend an exciting moved westward. He and his family joined used their location near the California- living history event. a wagon train headed for Alta California, still Oregon Road and the Sacramento River to PARK HISTORY a province of Mexico. They arrived at John form communication and transportation A. Sutter’s fort on October 25, 1845, then connections to the outside world. Pack trains, Native People traveled north to this area. During that winter, horsemen, miners on foot, ox teams, covered When California was part of Mexico in 1821, a rumor spread that the Mexican government wagons and stagecoaches moved up and explorer Luis Arguello led the first recorded planned to evict illegal American settlers. In down the valley, and steamboats moved expedition up the Sacramento River. The June of 1846, the settlers heard what proved along the river. In 1862 a ferry crossing was first people his party encountered were to be a false rumor—a Mexican military force built on the property. The park today reflects the Wintuan-speaking Nomlaki. Arguello’s was on its way, destroying crops, burning the hard work of those pioneers who lived in diary describes Nomlaki villages where houses and driving away cattle. mid-19th-century California. men hunted with sinew-backed bows and This rallied the settlers into obsidian arrows, building weirs and using action, and on June 14, 1846, harpoons for river fishing. The Nomlaki a group of about thirty men— women wove exquisite baskets, using the including Ide—marched on the three-rod coil and twined methods. town of Sonoma. The group In 1883 later explorers unwittingly brought became known as the Bear a malaria epidemic, decimating the native Flaggers. Sonoma and its leading population. Though the explorers later took citizen, General Mariano G. Vallejo, over Nomlaki lands, Nomlaki descendants were taken without incident. The still live in Northern California today. Bear Flaggers, lacking leadership,

Sacramento River ferry operator, late 1800s The Adobe Becomes observers may glimpse Adobe Ferry Champion Horseshoe Pitchers a State Park majestic bald eagles. Contest is held the second Saturday in The adobe was built The river supports four October. “Sports history” comes alive with all in 1852 by A. M. runs of Chinook salmon, participants dressed in 1850s clothing and Dibble. By 1949 it including the endangered following 1850s pitching rules. had changed hands winter run. More abundant School Programs at least 20 times. The species are the Pacific Life in the 1850s brings costumed high longest ownership lamprey, steelhead, rainbow school docents to spend the day teaching was from 1882 to 1913, The Mount family, 1898 trout, minnows, sturgeon fourth grade students skills for surviving the when the adobe was and various catfish. rigors of frontier life. the property of two members of the pioneer The vegetation along the river is a ruggedly Mini-Life in the 1850s has 1- to 2-hour Mount family—A. Mount and Willette Mount. beautiful blend of valley oak, California programs, including an adobe tour and At one point, original ownership of the sycamore, blue elderberry, California rose participation in several pioneer crafts. adobe was mistakenly ascribed to William and coyote bush. Fremont cottonwoods, Volunteers in Parks B. Ide, who had owned land downriver. willows and box elders grace the riverbanks Become a VIP! Join the Volunteers in Parks Subsequently, a movement sprang up to as well. Program to offer your time and energy; have make the site a state park in the 1940s. Temperatures The state acquired the land, and the park fun while supporting William B. Ide Adobe Temperatures here range from the high 90s State Historic Park. was dedicated in 1960, honoring Ide’s in the summer to low 40s in late fall and contribution to California history. The winter. Wearing layered clothing year round ACCESSIBLE FEATURES restored adobe is the only example of an is recommended. Picnic Area original Gold Rush-era adobe in the north An accessible picnic table on a concrete valley. PARK INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS pad is in the shaded picnic area. Accessible NATURAL RESOURCES Interpretive programs take visitors back in parking and restrooms are nearby. time to experience frontier life in the mid- Animals and Plants 1800s. Enjoy the sights, smells, sounds, The riparian forest along the Sacramento tastes and textures of the era. River and the adjacent oak woodland Annual Events provide perfect habitat for a variety of Adobe Day is held the third Saturday wildlife. in August. Activities include Gold Rush- Beavers and river otters busy themselves era music, pioneer crafts, home-baked in the water while black-tailed deer keep to refreshments, and period dancing. the shadows. Bird-watchers may spot nearly Pioneer Christmas Party, held the third 200 bird species, both migratory and resi- Saturday in December, recreates the earliest dent, including belted kingfishers, great blue Christmas celebrations of the North Valley. herons, wild turkeys, ospreys, Nutall’s wood- Visitors may enjoy hot wassail and create peckers and Canada geese. Some fortunate old-time crafts. Volunteers interpret pioneer California life. Exhibits/Programs A concrete walkway from the parking lot leads to an accessible visitor center. From the parking lot, another concrete walkway leads to a bridge, where a dirt path takes you to the adobe. The adobe is accessible from the rear of the building.

PLEASE REMEMBER • DANGER: The Sacramento River can have strong undercurrents as well as unseen debris and submerged logs. Always be careful in and around the water. • Dogs must be on a six-foot leash; they are allowed only in the picnic area. • The park’s natural and cultural resources are protected by state law and may not be removed or altered. • Firearms and hunting are prohibited in state parks.

NEARBY STATE PARKS • Shasta State Historic Park, 15312 Hwy. 299 West, Shasta (530) 243-8194 • Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, 25340 South Avenue, Corning (530) 839-2112 • Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, 525 Esplanade, Chico (530) 895-6144

This park receives support in part through a nonprofit association. For more information, contact the Ide Adobe Interpretive Association, 21659 Adobe Road, Red Bluff, CA 96080