William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
🐻 The 25-Day Republic — Where American Settlers Raised a Bear Flag and Declared California Free — William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park in Red Bluff, Tehama County, California, Bear Flag Revolt of June 1846, William B. Ide as president/commander of the California Republic, 33 American settlers seized Sonoma, 25-day republic before U.S. flag raised, 1852 adobe house (built by A.M. Dibble), Sacramento River ferry crossing, blacksmith shop, frontier homestead — Tehama County, CA
On June 14, 1846, thirty-three American settlers rode into the Mexican pueblo of Sonoma, seized the military commander, and raised a flag with a grizzly bear and a star. They declared the California Republic — and chose William Brown Ide as their president.
The republic lasted exactly 25 days. On July 9, the U.S. flag replaced the Bear Flag after the Mexican-American War broke out. But Ide’s proclamation — declaring that California would be free from Mexican rule — became the origin story of the state. The bear on that homemade flag is still on California’s state flag today.
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Adobe House | Restored 1852 adobe built by A.M. Dibble — a typical Sacramento Valley frontier homestead. Note: The adobe was not Ide’s own home, but represents the era and region where he settled |
| Visitor Center | Exhibits on William B. Ide, the Bear Flag Revolt, the 25-day California Republic, and the transition from Mexican to American rule |
| Blacksmith Shop | Working blacksmith shop demonstrating frontier-era metalworking — essential to survival in the Sacramento Valley of the 1850s |
| Sacramento River | The park sits on the west bank of the Sacramento River. The site was once a ferry crossing — a critical piece of transportation infrastructure for settlers heading north |
| Homestead Grounds | Outbuildings and grounds showing the layout of a mid-19th-century frontier family compound in the northern Sacramento Valley |
The Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1845 | William B. Ide arrives in California via the Oregon Trail. He settles in the Sacramento Valley as a farmer |
| Jun 14, 1846 | The Bear Flag Revolt. 33 American settlers seize Sonoma. They raise a flag with a grizzly bear and a star. The California Republic is declared |
| Jun 15, 1846 | Ide is chosen as president/commander. He writes the proclamation explaining why California should be free from Mexican rule |
| Jul 9, 1846 | The U.S. flag replaces the Bear Flag at Sonoma. The Mexican-American War has begun. The 25-day republic is over |
| 1848 | Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo — Mexico cedes California to the United States. Gold is discovered at Sutter’s Mill |
| 1852 | The adobe house at the park site is built by A.M. Dibble on the Sacramento River. Ide lives on a nearby property |
| 1852 | Ide dies in Red Bluff. His role in the Bear Flag Revolt had already become part of California legend |
| 1960 | The site is dedicated as William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park — honoring the only president of the California Republic |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 🌸 Sacramento Valley in bloom. The river is high. Comfortable temperatures before the valley heats up |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 🍂 Harvest season. Clear skies. The river and valley at their most photogenic |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Hot in the Sacramento Valley — often 100°F+. Early morning visits only. Bear Flag anniversary is June 14 |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild and green. Sacramento Valley’s rainy season. Tule fog possible |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Ide really the president of California?
Technically, yes — for 25 days. The California Republic was unrecognized by any nation, but the settlers who seized Sonoma declared it independent and chose Ide as their leader. His proclamation served as the republic’s founding document. When the U.S. flag was raised on July 9, the republic was absorbed into the American claim to California.
Is the bear on California’s flag from the Bear Flag Revolt?
Yes — the California state flag is a direct descendant of the original Bear Flag. The settlers at Sonoma made their flag from scraps of cloth and berry juice. The grizzly bear and lone star they painted became the enduring symbols of the state.
Did Ide actually live in this adobe?
No — the adobe was built by A.M. Dibble in 1852. Ide’s own property was nearby. The park is named in his honor and interprets the era and region, but the specific building was not his home.
🐻 25 Days. One Bear Flag. An Entire State.
33 settlers. A homemade flag. A 25-day republic that became the origin story of California. The bear they painted is still on the state flag today.
