Wilbur Hot Springs Press Kit
Features Factsheet | Background | History | Biography of Dr. Richard Miller NOTEWORTHY FACTS & FEATURES • Wilbur Hot Springs has been known as a place of healing for over 140 years – since Ezekial Wilbur purchased a 64-acre ranch in 1863 and built a wood frame hotel to promote the Wilbur Hot Sulphur Springs. However, the palliative powers were recognized long before by the Pomo, Patwin, Wintun and Colusi tribes, local Native American inhabitants of the Coast Range Mountains . • The minerals, so desirable in the waters, also attracted miners who sought them in the land. • Natural hot mineral springs promoting "miraculous cures" were in their heyday in Northern California , and American overall, in the late 1800s. This included Wilbur Hot Springs, which was attended twice daily by stagecoach – a 22-mile journey that took four hours – after guests arrived in Williams on the Southern Pacific Railroad. • In 1978, Wilbur Hot Springs, represented by Dr. Miller, engaged in a fierce legal battle with Sunedco, a subsidiary of Sun Oil, which had applied for a permit to drill geothermal test wells on the borders of Wilbur. Just in the knick of time, Dr. Miller learned of the possibility that Sunedco would “whipstock” drill and gain access to the property's geothermal epicenter, Wilbur's most previous resource. Miller caused Colusa County 's first environmental impact report to be written. • Wilbur's hot springs continue to be beneficial today. For 10 years during the 1980s, Dr. Richard Louis Miller, psychologist, founder of Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program, and current owner of Wilbur – treated 1500 chemically dependent patients at Wilbur. During the detox program, not one patient was either medicated or hospitalized. Dr. Miller believes the springs' therapeutic qualities and the natural atmosphere significantly helped his patients' recovery. • Wilbur is possibly the only year-round hotel in California that is not on the power grid. Currently, the hotel utilizes solar panels and batteries toward the goal of achieving power parity. Future plans call for adding hydroelectric power. • Nearby Bear Valley is renowned for its spring wildflowers. Orange poppies, purple lupine, yellow tidytips and rare adobe lilies are just some of the seasonal blooms which help make the valley one of the three most extensive collections of wildflowers on the planet. • The analysis of Wilbur water indicates the existence of 15 chemicals. In parts per million from most to least, those minerals, elements or compounds are chloride, sodium, potassium, sulfate, boron, silica, magnesium, lithium, calcide fluoride, iron, copper, manganese, cadmium and zinc. • The Flumes of Wilbur's natural hot mineral springs contain waters at four different temperatures, ranging from 98- 108 degrees F . During most periods, though not always, clothing is optional in the area for taking the natural mineral waters, although it is definitely required elsewhere on the property. • While the Flumes are a favorite way to relax, there is also yoga and massage. Other enjoyable activities abound as well, including hiking, swimming, mountain biking, bird watching and stargazing, meditating; and in the hotel, shooting pool and playing ping pong • In 1999 Dr. Miller bought the nearby valley and placed a conservation easement on the property. This created Wilbur's 1560-acre nature preserve, offering quiet, private and safe enjoyment to registered guests. ### jsmt: 1.26.05.fv
Wilbur Hot Springs Press Kit A sanctuary for the self in Northern California's coastal range... For reservations call (530) 473-2306 from 10am to 8pm daily. [ top ] |