Santa Fe Springs (Images of America)

Before its incorporation in May 1957, Santa Fe Springs had a vibrant past that brought the area to prominence several times throughout its history. It was the hub for the early Spanish rancho of Jose Manuel Nieto, the holder of the largest Spanish land grant in California. Later, after a sulfur hot spring was discovered in the area, it became a popular destination for those seeking its curative powers; visitors headed to the Fulton Wells health resort, which was built around the sulfur spring. Following an oil strike in 1919, a dramatic change occurred in the area as oil derricks and refineries soon covered the landscape. Santa Fe Springs then became a destination for those seeking their fortunes. Such famous people as Alfonso Bell and J. Paul Getty started their careers here in one of the largest oil strikes in the country. Today, Santa Fe Springs is a thriving city, proud of its fusion between residents and industry and its roots that go back to a small, Native American, Tongva village.