by Bob Gunter
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 Page House served as the second hospital in Sandpoint Idaho.
Click photo to enlarge
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:
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Nurses are not allowed to visit in patient rooms or the ward when off duty.
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Nurses must be in uniform when on duty. Shoes to have rubber heels.
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Nurses to leave 6 & 4 o'clock temperature list on my desk.
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Night nurses not allowed company when on duty.
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Day nurses must see that all soiled linen is taken to laundry & all garbage emptied before leaving floor at night and night nurses before leaving in morning.
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When patient is admitted, leave patient name & address with Dr. name (if contract patient, company name) on my desk.When patient is discharged, leave chart made up to hour of discharge with discharge slip on my desk.
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All charts to be printed. Great care should be taken in keeping charts.
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Night nurse to clean surgery the night before operating.
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All operative cases to have urine examined before going to surgery.
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Night nurses to see that all company leaves patient rooms and lights out at 9 P.M.
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Nurses to be in their rooms at 10:30 unless late permission is given. Late permission to be asked for by 7 P.M.
Dr. Ones F Page - Sandpoint Idaho. Dr. Page established a hospital in the residence of Alex and Rosa Piatt at 719 North 3rd Avenue.
Click photo to enlarge
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. |
