CHICO

city, Butte county, northern California, U.S., in the Sacramento River valley. It was founded in 1860 by John Bidwell, state congressman and horticulturist, and developed as an agricultural-processing centre, especially for almonds, rice, and fruit. California State University, Chico, was founded as a normal school in 1887. Manufacturing began in Chico in 1904 with a match factory, and after World War II there was planned diversified industrial expansion. The Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park includes the 26-room Victorian home (1868) of John Bidwell. Inc. 1872. Pop. (1990) city, 39,970; Chico MSA, 182,120; (1994 est.) city, 43,642; (1995 est.) Chico-Paradise MSA, 192,880.