C. indorus (95 days) This melon originated just a few minutes away from us here in Chico, CA. Bidwell is named after John Bidwell, who was a general in the Civil War and struck it rich in the California Gold Rush. Bidwell later founded the town of Chico, where he planted the original seed stock from the Department of Agriculture on his estate. After many years of selection, the Bidwell Casaba was born.