FORGOTTEN JACKSON: City Hospital: 1888-1946
Jacksonians are familiar with Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital.
Many remember when it was called Foote Hospital.
Other old-timers recall Foote West, or Mercy Hospital.
But how many are even still around that remember Jackson’s City Hospital?
That hospital was located at 1501 Ganson Street.
According to Mlive, it began life when it was built in 1835 as a three-story farmhouse. It survived as a farmhouse for about 50 years, when, by 1886 it was deserted. The rumor at the time was that the old farmhouse was haunted, although no reports or witnesses reveal how or why the house was haunted, or by whom.
Ignoring the haunted rumors, the Jackson mayor - Martin G. Loennecker – and others donated a bunch of money to buy the place. Once purchased, they deeded it to the city to purposely be used as a hospital. In 1888, it became City Hospital.
The Jackson City Hospital had 15 beds and approximately eight patients that first year.
In 1899, Minnie West, took over superintendent duties. In 1900, With full support from other medical professionals in town, she added the Jackson City Training School for Nurses to the hospital.
A student dorm was added in 1903, the hospital expanded to 50 beds, and by 1915 it was overcrowded. Ida Foote, wife of William A. Foote (of whom Foote Hospital was named) was not pleased with the City Hospital’s conditions, especially after William’s death in 1915. Hoping to improve medical care conditions, she purchased a chunk of land from City Bank founder Peter B. Loomis and donated the site for a new medical center, which became known as Foote Hospital.
With this new hospital, the Jackson City Hospital became a center for tuberculosis, smallpox, and other contagious diseases. City Hospital was left empty and deserted ny 1946.
When Jackson newspaperman John George passed away in 1939, a fund was established to buy City Hospital. After the necessary funds were raised, and the third floor was torn off the structure, the building continued as the two-story John George Home for Elderly Gentlemen, which opened in August 1950.
Scroll down to see a few images of the old three-story City Hospital, and the current John George Home for Elderly Gentlemen.
City Hospital, Jackson: 1888-1946
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow