It was on May 23, 1903 that the Northern Idaho News heralded the opening of Sandpoint's second hospital by stating, " Dr. Ones F. Page established a hospital in the residence of Alex and Rosa Piatt at 719 North 3rd Avenue." This latest hospital was about 50 yards from the building that housed the Sandpoint Hospital of Dr. Nathan Goddard. Mrs. Piatt was the hospital matron in charge of the care of six or seven patients about half the number that could be cared for at the Goddard site. Page had the same insurance coverage, as did Goddard, by offering to the public a ticket that covered a person for twelve months for $12. This covered the holder to medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, and medicine for a year without additional charge.
The Goddard and Page Hospitals closed their doors in June of 1904 and for the next few months Sandpoint did not have a hospital. In 1905 Dr. C.W. Slusser opened a hospital at 403 North Third Avenue in Sandpoint. He later complained that he was handicapped in trying to practice in a building not suited for a hospital and he made plans to build a new one.
The Pend d'Oreille Review on January 31, 1907 said, "Dr. and Mrs. C.W. Slusser will leave this week for Chicago.." He did not return to Sandpoint and the hospital was never built. In the meantime Dr. Page and Dr. Malcolm McKinnon were doing surgery in the home of William Costello with Mrs. Costello acting as Matron.
In the year 1906 the construction of the Page Hospital began. It was to be located at 514 North Second Avenue and would cost approximately $5,000 dollars. On Thursday, December 20, 1906 the Pend d'Oreille Review carried a picture of the almost completed hospital with the following article, "The Page Hospital, opposite the Farmin residence, will be a big affair. Dr. O.F. Page expects to occupy it by February 1. It contains a total of 27 rooms, with four halls and occupies three floors and a basement. It is steam heated throughout and has sewage connection through a private line to the creek." In 1908 the Page Hospital was reorganized and refurbished and the name changed to "City Hospital." Drs. McKinnon, Warner, Patterson and Page used the building for their patients and a Miss King was the Matron.
The Page, later called The Community or City Hospital, trained many young ladies to fill the role of nurses in the facility. Their duties varied as can been seen by the following:
A list of instructions given to Florence Hawkins when she was a nurse At City Hospital(Page Hospital) in Sandpoint, Idaho, 1922.
Few Things for Nurses to Remember:
Many residents of Sandpoint today still remember the Page Hospital.Jane Haynes, a long time resident recalls, "I delivered a baby in the Page Hospital. I remember the narrow halls and especially how the building shook when a train came by. We had more trains than we do now and it seemed as if there was a constant shake and rattle. The worst part was being carried up the narrow steps on a stretcher. There was no elevator and at that time you had to be off your feet at least ten days, so up and down the stairs on the stretcher."
Over a span of years the "Hospitals" of Sandpoint came and went. Some lasted longer than others but the one located at 514 North Second Avenue, the Page Hospital, provided care for the community for 44 years. It was torn down to make room for the Bonner General Hospital that opened at 502 North Third Avenue in 1951.
All photographs have been used with permission of the Bonner County Museum.
To experience the charm of a town one must live there. Bob Selle is an old-timer in the Sandpoint area. Here, in his own words, he gives us a peek at a young person's...
Today Sandpoint, Idaho is known for its beautiful lake and majestic mountains. It is known as a good place to find serenity and a sense of peace. But the Sandpoint...
The old building is called the McFarland House by practically everyone that lives in the Sandpoint, Idaho area. It is located on the corner of Highway 95...
The whistle of the strange looking craft broke the silence as it pulled away from the City Docks of Sandpoint...
In the early days of Sandpoint, Idaho there was quite a transportation problem. For most people there were two ways of getting around-walk or ride a horse...
The community Hall in Sandpoint, Idaho took on a national function in 1942. The YMCA leased the hall from the city for $1 a year to be used as a USO club...
It was on May 23, 1903 that the Northern Idaho News heralded the opening of Sandpoint's second hospital by stating, " Dr. Ones F. Page established a hospital...
In the early years of the pioneer town called Sandpoint, it was a struggle for parents to educate their children. Funds had to be subscribed to hire the teachers...
Long before the white man came there was a trail. The Indians for time immemorial had used it. The old trail started on the Spokane River and ran through...
Pat Gooby has lived in Sandpoint all his life and as a child did chores at the old County Poor Farm. I asked Pat to tell me a story about the farm and here...
We sat on the lawn in front of the house that had meant so much to her. She, and her three children, had come from Seattle for a time of remembering...
The first white man to come to the area was the famed David Thompson, map maker and fur dealer. He had traveled from Canada and built Kulyspell House...
The Idaho Territorial Legislature granted a license to operate a ferry to Charles H. Campfield and Associates. That was on December 22, 1864. The authorized...
On April 18, 1891, C.R.Martin and A.T.Dickinson received a license for $36.00 after posting a $1,000.00 bond, authorizing them to operate a ferry at...
At one time Priest Lake was the scene of a movie camp owned by Nell Shipman. She was an old time movie star and produced movies at Lionhead Lodge...
The roots of the present library system in Bonner County, Idaho, started in 1905 when a few individuals opened a "free reading room". Hope was...
Bob Selle has lived in this area since 1923. He was seven years of age when his family came to the Sandpoint area. His first experience in logging...
The Selkirk Mountains still show scars from the devastating effects of the Sundance fire. The fire started on August 23, 1967 with a lightning strike...
The two old chimneys still stand like two fingers pointing to the heavens. They are all that remain of what once was a show place along the banks of...
When you walk the main streets of today's Sandpoint you will find most of the businesses are geared to meet the need of the tourist that frequent the area...
It was in March, 1903, that the Kootenai County Republican announced that "ground will be broken in ten days" for the new smelting company located at...
Men invent things for two reasons: There seems to be in every person a desire to find a better way of doing things and the second reason for invention is to make...
Sandpoint, Idaho, came into being because of the railroad and timber. The advances in technology in these two areas are mind boggling. Follow the railroad...
Many people came to Sandpoint during the war years. Two of them were Beth Knight and Price May. Her story, in her own words, continues and she tells about...
The picture is of the old trestle that used to go from Sunnyside to Trestle Creek just a few miles from Sandpoint, Idaho. In the picture there is seen...
©Copyright 1998- by Sandpoint.com - All rights reserved