Ide Adobe Interpretive Association

Would you like to help rebuild your community after Covid? Do you have ideas for your community and would like to see them implemented? Do have ideas for educational events or family fun?

I.A.I.A is looking to rebuild itself by recruiting new members and receiving donations from our community to contribute their time or money for special events and programs. We work with the California State Parks Department in Red Bluff to stage living history events and educational programs for our youth.

YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP FUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH IN THE RED BLUFF COMMUNITY!! WE STRIVE TO KEEP HISTORY ALIVE AND TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT LIFE IN THE 1850'S  THROUGH EXPERIENCE AND HANDS ON ACTIVITIES.  

Heritage Garden at William B. Ide Adobe SHP

Here is a little bit about William B Ide and our State Historic Park from the parks.ca.gov website:

William B. Ide wrote the proclamation that established the short-lived California Bear Republic in 1846. It lasted 22 days. Ide recognized the opportunities available to him in the West and as a surveyor, miner, treasurer, district attorney, deputy clerk, and judge, provided support and leadership to this northern part of California. While the park memorializes Ide's role in early California history, recent research has shown he never owned the property.Like William B. Ide, pioneer settlers at Adobe Ranch arrived in California envisioning opportunities. Facing hardships and challenges, they took advantage of the ranch's location on the river to transform the site. Contrary to the quiet, rural impression the park leaves today, the ranch's location near the California-Oregon Road and adjacent to the Sacramento River (important communication and transportation arteries) probably kept its residents well connected. During the Gold Rush and afterwards, a succession of pack-mule trains, travelers on foot, herds of cattle and sheep, freight wagons, stagecoaches and riverboats moved up and down the valley and along the river.

Bird watching also available.

Depending upon the water's depth, steamboats would transport goods and passengers to the most northerly navigable point on the river. From there, they were off loaded. The property owners made the most of this location in the 1860s by establishing a ferry across the Sacramento River. Cross-country travelers depended upon ferries to make their river crossings safe and easy. Later bridges built in the area made them obsolete. 

The park today reflects the hard work it took to maintain life away from California's urban centers in mid-19th century. Visitors touring the visitor center and ranch buildings will be able to learn about the special skills and work activities of California pioneers, comparing them to their own lives. 

Educational programs tied into school programs offer students hands-on learning experiences that emphasize the lifeways associated with the early settlers.