Title: History of Medicine in the Lompoc Valley

Year: 2005

Master Artist: David Blodgett, South Bend, IN

Location: 1515 East Ocean Avenue

Description: The 120-foot mural depicting the history of medicine in the Lompoc Valley dates back some 8,000 years when the Chumash Indians first occupied the portion of the West Coast that later would become California. The practice of Medicine made major advances when Lompoc’s first mission containing infirmaries, was constructed in 1787 at what is now Locust Avenue and F Street.

Lompoc’s first hospital was named “Buena Vista Sanitarium”. It was built in 1908 at the NW corner of Maple Ave. & K St. M.S. Kelliher, MD, was its Superintendent. Susan Henning Van Clief opened her maternity home in 1914 at the corner of North 3rd St. and Walnut Ave. Nellie H. Sperber added an operating room to her home at 131 S. F St. It was the Sperber Sanitarium until the Lompoc Hospital opened in 1943.

The mural contains portraits of individuals who played and are playing major roles in the development and operation of Lompoc’s medical community. More details can be seen and read on the Lompoc Hospital Website.