California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


WHEELER C. BLUMBERG. There is hardly a more delightful spot for recreation and health in 
Southern California than Wheelers Hot Springs in Ventura County. It was named for the late 
Wheeler C. Blumberg, who acquired direct from the Government the land in Wheeler Springs 
Canyon where these springs are located.
Wheelers Hot Springs are situated in the Ventura Mountains, north of Nordhoff, and a short 
distance south of Wheelers Cold Springs. The Cold Springs are situated on the headwaters of 
the Sespe River. It is in a mountain country, with mountain air, with rugged scenery, and the 
waters that rush through the canyon walls are alive with trout, while the enterprise of the 
Wheelers Springs Company has furnished all the com- forts and facilities required for the 
thorough enjoyment of these natural resources. The Hot Springs are about ninety miles from 
Los Angeles over the new State Highway, and the automobile road reads directly to them. The 
Cold Springs, nine miles distant, are accessible only by trail, and that is an advantage, since this 
locality is therefore somewhat isolated, is not overcrowded, and affords abundance of 
opportunity for real open air recreation and fishing. The Hot Springs are about 1,500 feet above 
sea level, while the trail rises toward the Cold Springs, which are nearly 3,500 feet above the 
sea. As a result of the enterprise of the late Mr. Blumberg and his associates splendid hotel 
facilities have been provided at the Hot Springs dancing pavilions, facilities for outdoor and 
indoor games and sports, and the waters from the hot mineral wells have been diverted into a 
splendid swimming tank. More and more every season this is becoming one of the most 
favored resorts for people who desire to get back to nature in its most rugged and picturesque 
form. The Wheelers Hot Springs are also a health resort. The waters of these springs have 
qualities which have proved very effectual in the treatment and cure of many diseases, 
especially those connected with the stomach and digestive tracts.
For centuries this wonderful spot had lain unappreciated except by the chance traveler, and it 
was the ideas and enterprise of the late Wheeler C. Blumberg who made them available to the 
public at large. That was an important service, and his name and work deserve more than 
passing consideration in this publication.
Wheeler C. Blumberg was born at Clarence in Cedar County, Iowa, November 26, 1863. His 
father was A. W. Blumberg, who was also a prominent and well known Californian. Wheeler 
Blumberg began his education in the public schools of Iowa, but in 1873 came with his father to 
Nordhoff, and attended school there until 1877. His parents then removed to Santa Paula, and 
he became associated with his father in the general merchandise business. In 1882 they 
returned to Nordhoff and  began developing the Matilija Hot Springs in the canyon five miles 
north of Nordhoff, and just a short distance south of Wheelers Hot Springs.
In 1888 Wheeler Blumberg branched out for himself, and located a 160 acre claim 272 miles 
from Matilija, thus establishing what is now known as Wheelers Hot Springs in the canyon of 
the same name. He provided such accommodations as the people who came to that region 
desired in the way of hotels, fishing and camping paraphernalia, and wisely laid the foundation 
for the present business which centers in that locality. Mr. Wheeler C. Blumberg died May 21, 
1906.
For the past ten years Mr. Webb W. Wilcox, son-in-law of the late Mr. Blumberg has been in 
active charge of the springs. Mr. Blumberg was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. On October 2, 1886, at Yreka, California, he married Miss Rose Anna Goodrich. Their 
three children were: Clarence, now a contractor in Los Angeles ; Carl, of Los Angeles, California 
; and Mrs. W. W. Wilcox of Wheelers Hot Springs.