William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park is a park located on the west bank of the Sacramento River, a mile north of Red Bluff, CA. The park memorializes William Brown Ide, a California pioneer, captain of the Bear Flag Revolt and the only president of the California Republic, which lasted from June 14 to July 9, 1846. There is an adobe house located in a picnic area overlooking the Sacramento River. The adobe is not Ide’s original home. The original looked completely different. Generations of Red Bluff kids believed that the series of square holes across the upper front of the building were rifle ports for shooting at enemies. Actually, they originally held the roof beams. The adobe, which had been added onto several times, was occupied by Butte Sutton and his wife until the state bought it in the 1950s. The Suttons moved to a new house across Adobe Road. Against the wishes of the community, the park service tore down the original adobe and replaced it with one that in no way resembles the original and which faces the river, rather than the road. The park contains the new adobe and replicas of a typical carriage shed, a replica blacksmith shop and a small visitor center. An episode of California’s Gold visited the park as part of a profile of its namesake.
The park is one of the 48 California state parks which were proposed for closure in January 2008 by California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program, since rescinded following public outcry.
Only 2mi/3km to the northeast of Red Bluff on the U.S. 5 (Wilcox Road exit), you will find the William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, with the restored adobe residence (built 1846) of the only president of the short-lived Republic of California. In the town itself stands a beautiful Victorian house with its original furnishings.