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About us

Our Association

The Chico Heritage Association (CHA) was incorporated as a non-profit institution in 1981 to foster an appreciation of our city’s history and early architecture. CHA continually campaigned for a Historic Preservation Ordinance, which the Chico City Council finally passed in 2010.

Since its conception, we continue to research and document the history of local buildings, individuals, families, neighborhoods, institutions, modes of transportations, etc.

At the CHA office, we have an expansive collection of local books, yearbooks, historic newspapers, on-line resources, and more. In addition to our own research, we always welcome the opportunity to assist community members with their history questions and research. All of our activities are supported by membership dues and generous donations.

MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY...

To Protect and Preserve

In 1981, Chico did not have a preservation ordinance or any formal documentation to support one; thus, historic buildings were not protected. Many downtown buildings had already been razed. In response, an informal coalition of citizens met to determine what steps were needed to save any threatened buildings. Thus was formed the Chico Heritage Association
(CHA).

The first major project of CHA was to research and document over 300 buildings, and create a pathway for many of them to be registered with the National Register of Historic Buildings, and to establish a local Historic Inventory.

Much of CHA’s early work was made possible from two grants: one from the City of Chico and another from the State of California Office of Historic Preservation. The local Historic Inventory that was developed gave credence to the protests against removing historic buildings and provided accurate research into local history. Today, the Inventory still provides grounds for consideration of the historical value of buildings in the community in order to protect, preserve and restore them.

Our Official Mission Statement

To encourage and support the preservation, maintenance, enhancement, restoration and protection of buildings, neighborhoods, monuments, artifacts, and natural resources that exemplify or constitute a part of the historic, architectural and cultural heritage of the greater Chico area

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 P.M. at the CHA office. The meetings are open to the public. Board of Director members are elected at the CHA annual meeting for a 2-year term.

Below are the current Board members and their short bios (in alphabetical order).

My family came to Chico in 1908. My father was born and raised here, as was I. After earning my teaching credential at Chico State, I taught at Paradise High and Chico High. My teaching career also took me out of town for 16 years to University of Kansas and University of Arizona. It was wonderful to move back home in 2007. Once I joined CHA in 2015, I started researching local history. It has been pure joy to be part of this group and to be part of the mission to support, protect, and preserve local history!

I came to Chico State from Esparto, CA. in 1968 to major in history. I have always been interested in “old things” and stories of the past. I worked locally in such businesses as Collier Hardware and Christian & Johnson. I joined the Stansbury Home Preservation Association at its founding in 1975, am a board member, and the historian. I was privileged to be the resident caretaker of the home from 1978 until 1998. I joined the CHA at its founding in 1981 and am the only surviving founding board member. I believe in the importance in preserving our local cultural history.

My great-grandfather Henry Clay Compton came to this area in the 1850s. My grandfather, Ira, was born here. I have been doing genealogy for 40 years and was surprised when I discovered my local connection. I started volunteering in 2002 at the current Patrick Ranch, formerly the Compton Ranch when my grandfather’s brother Adam lived there. Sometime after 2006, I joined CHA board. Many of us got involved in preserving the former Patrick house. We put a new roof on it and a partial new foundation. I am interested in the history of the local area.

I moved to Chico in 1979 to attend the university, earning a M.A. in anthropology and museum studies there. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, I volunteered and was employed at the Chico Museum, the University Anthropology Museum, the Stansbury House, and at Bidwell Mansion. I’ve been employed as a curator, archaeologist, environmental educator, college instructor, and most recently as the Director of the Arc of Butte County. As a resident of south Chico, I am intrigued with the historic buildings and the families who built them and have a great interest in preserving the historic ambience of the neighborhood.

I came to Chico in 1984 after Architecture school at the University of Oregon. My brother lived here, and my wife Sandy had lived here in 70s. I worked with several architects in town, then worked for Chico Housing Improvement Program. From there I worked 26 years at Thomson and Hendricks Architects, who designed schools. I was licensed in 1998. I’ve always been interested in historic preservation and joined CHA in 2010 and served as president around 2015. I am most proud of the work I did to save and relocate the last Gothic Revival home in Chico.

I first came to Chico in 1971, fell in love with the trees, creeks, old houses and the historic downtown. I worked at Big Al’s, Continental Nut, and The Italian Cottage. I moved to Lake Tahoe in 1976 where I met Paul. We married in 1979 and relocated to Eugene for school. We returned to Chico in 1984, bought our 1910 house in 1988. We love our Barber Neighborhood and have been involved with the Barber Neighborhood Association in an effort to preserve its history. I started volunteering at the CHA office and joined the board as treasurer in 2020.

History is a fascination of mine. After graduation from the University of Michigan’s College of Architecture, I focused on the development of historic districts and was one of the creators of the National Main Street program for the National Trust. With the reduction of economic incentives for rehabilitation of historic structures in 1986, I joined the San Francisco firm of HOK. Fifteen years in San Francisco prompted my wife and me to find a more tranquil lifestyle for our retirement. In 2006 we moved to Chico, I joined the CHA board in 2010, and I taught design and modern architectural history at Chico State.

My great-great-grandmother moved to Chico when John Bidwell was still alive. I learned to appreciate Chico’s history by traveling and realizing that Chico is a very special place. As a descendant of one of Chico’s earliest families, it is only natural that I joined the CHA and became a board member. I am also on Chico History Museum’s board, and bring to both organizations my love of Chico history as well as my expertise in several areas, including computer software for cataloging historical documents, graphic design, and vast knowledge of Downtown Chico buildings.

Although I came to Chico in 1946, my roots go back to 1920, when my father lived here as a boy. His childhood stories piqued my interest, and I eventually volunteered at the “Patrick Ranch”, which led to my joining the CHA Board in 2006. My special interest is the historic 1852 Wright-Patrick Ranch which encapsulates the entire story of Chico’s development. We are currently working on a book to document its history. My research interests also include Chico schools and our local railway systems. My husband, Myles, a Chico native, shares my passion for rooting out local history.

I taught math at Chico State, now retired. My interest in local history began when I was recruited as a docent at the Patrick Ranch Museum in 2004. I am a native of Wyoming, but a long time California resident, having lived in the Durham area for more than forty years prior to moving to Chico three years ago. I joined the CHA board in 2006, maintain the membership records, and volunteer at the office on Mondays. Along with other board members, we are working on a book that will document the history of the Wright-Patrick house and its inhabitants.

In 1975 I moved to Chico from Virginia with my 6-year old twins. First thing I did was look at the history scrapbooks at the Chico Branch Library. I met Giovanna Jackson at a party in the old schoolhouse on Pomona; she inspired me to help with the final days of the first Chico Historic Building Survey. I joined the Board in 1984. My favorite research topics are the Barber Neighborhood, Bethel A.M.E. Church, and the Chinese in Chico. I want to solve the mystery of what happened to Bidwell’s original Chico Store after it was moved.

I came to Chico when I was in fourth grade. I attended McManus Elementary, Bidwell Junior High, and Pleasant Valley High. In high school, I started collecting coins and stamps, and later on, antique bottles. John Nobel showed me his collection of Chico memorabilia and photos, and we became friendly competitors. He educated me on what to collect and what to avoid. Learning about local history has been just as important as the artifacts! I have volunteered at CHA and the Chico History Museum for 8 years and serve on both boards. Every March, I organize an antique bottle show at the fairgrounds.

I arrived in Chico in 1969 at the ripe age of four, where I attended local schools including Chico High, Butte College and Chico State. I work in the History Department at Chico State teaching U.S., Middle East, and culinary history. I am a big fan of local history and have researched Butte County’s African American community, the South Campus Neighborhood, the Ku Klux Klan in Butte County, and the social justice movements that occurred at Chico State in the 1960s and 1970s. Currently, I am researching the local history of Prohibition.  In 2018, I joined the CHA board and served as its president from 2019-2023.

My Great Uncle Bob Norlie came to Chico from North Dakota in the 1930s.  By 1938, the rest of the family followed. Then, my mom and dad had to leave Chico briefly and moved to Denver, but we missed Chico and returned in 1955. Thus, I attended Chico schools from K-12th grade. I also went to “Chico State” and earned a teaching credential. Following in my mom’s footsteps, I became involved with the Chico Art Center and was the Chairman of their Board. I loved growing-up in Chico. I have been involved with CHA for many years and am excited to be on the Board.