WHO GOT THERE FIRST?

                    Where Did They Come From?

Individuals who arrived at Bidwell’s Bar between 1848 -1852.

The route to Bidwell’s Bar from the eastern states involved a several month journey by sea or overland to reach the Feather River to start mining. Miners coming from Oregon could reach the Feather River mines in about a month’s travel by sea or overland.

Individuals who arrived during the first five years of the gold rush are hard to track because of the limited amount of government records, lack of newspapers and other public recording of activities. Often the only record of their presence is from private letters or family histories. The information in the following table represents individuals for which some data has been located placing them specifically at Bidwell’s Bar. Many other references of individuals “mining” on the Feather River has not been included.

Note: The following seven pages list the year individuals are known to have been at Bidwell's Bar. They may also have been at that location during prior or later years.

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