Fort Bidwell - Modoc County

Fort Bidwell

Fort Bidwell - was founded as a military post in 1865 and named in honor of an early pioneer, General Bidwell. The fort encouraged businesses such as sawmills, stores, and hotels. About 1905 gold was discovered in the northern Warner Mountains. A mining town called High Grade sprung up in a canyon above Ft. Bidwell and a short-lived rush was on. The fort closed in 1892 and was used by the Department of Interior as an Indian School. The Fort Bidwell Native American community hosts an annual Cultural Gathering Pow Wow. Many historic sights remain in Fort Bidwell - Fort Bidwell church, was erected circa 1885 and still holds regular services - Fort Bidwell General Store was built in 1874 of stone from Bidwell Canyon, a virtual fireproof fortress, and remains one of the longest continuously operating stores in the state - Fort Bidwell Hotel and Restaurant opened in the early 1900s and operates today as both hotel and dinner house. At the north end of Main Street is a stone schoolhouse erected in 1917. Students now attend school in Cedarville. Remnants of the bank vault, established in 1907 are seen on Main Street next to Kober's Dry Goods Store. Fort Bidwell is the gateway to the North Warner Mountains. Four miles south of Fort Bidwell is Fandango Pass Road, following the emigrant trail over the Warners to Goose Lake. Surprise Valley views are spectacular. Northwest from Fort Bidwell is County Road 2, winding through the historic Highgrade mining area, past recreation areas of Cave and Lily Lakes and west to New Pine Creek. Also accessible from Fort Bidwell are Lake Annie and Fee Reservoir, which offer fine fishing. It is a scenic drive from Fort Bidwell to Adel, Oregon, with abundant trout streams along the way.