Camp Bidwell, near Chico were named for General John Bidwell. However, Camp Bidwell was commissioned in 1863, renamed Camp Chico by the time Fort Bidwell was commissioned in 1865, and was decommissioned in 1893. Observing confusion between the two, Robert W. Pease explained that such a transfer of name between outposts was a common Army practice of the time. The Fort Bidwell post office opened in 1868. A 1913 book described Fort Bidwell as having a population of about 200, and containing a school and reservation for the Northern Paiute Kidütökadö band (Gidu Ticutta - ‘Yellow-bellied marmot-Eaters’, also called "Northern California Paiute"). Fort Bidwell is now registered as California Historical Landmark #430. Demographics The 2010 United States Census reported that Fort Bidwell had a population of 173. The population density was . The racial makeup of Fort Bidwell was 75 (43.4%) White, 2 (1.2%) African American, 76 (43.9%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 10 (5.8%) from other races, and 10 (5.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23 persons (13.3%). The Census reported that 173 people (100% of the population) lived in households. There were 79 households, out of which 17 (21.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 24 (30.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 16 (20.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3 (3.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 7 (8.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 30 households (38.0%) were made up of individuals, and 14 (17.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19. There were 43 families (54.4% of all households); the average family size was 2.95. The population was spread out, with 35 people (20.2%) under the age of 18, 26 people (15.0%) aged 18 to 24, 29 people (16.8%) aged 25 to 44, 51 people (29.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 32 people (18.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males. There were 126 housing units at an average density of , of which 45 (57.0%) were owner-occupied, and 34 (43.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was