In the immediately preceding segments, the histories of the Hillside Hospital on Jarvis Avenue, which treated smallpox cases and the Holyoke Tuberculosis Sanatorium on Cherry Street were told. The story now turns to Holyoke’s need for a general contagion hospital to treat and care for patients with other communicable diseases.
Discussions began in the early 1900s about developing a plan for a large isolation hospital with enough beds to handle outbreaks of various contagious diseases. Many meetings were held involving the Board of Health, the Mayor’s office, and the state Board of Health Commissioner’s office regarding the construction of an isolation hospital.
Potential sites in the city, including property on Northampton Street, the Shea Farm near the Alms House, and the Delaney property on Cherry Street, were visited and reviewed. Additionally, city and health officials visited hospitals in other cities to gather information. By the end of the first decade of the 20th century, a site to place the isolation hospital had not been determined.
The following 7 years also proved especially difficult in achieving the goal of building the facility. In 1911, a temporary and very small isolation hospital was built on the grounds of City (Holyoke) Hospital. It was capable of handling 5 patients, as exposing hospital patients to contagious individuals would be harmful.
In 1912, the Mayor allocated $865 from the Tuberculosis account to develop plans for a new isolation hospital. This was the first of what would become several pursuits over the next 5 years.
In late 1912, the State Board of Health forwarded a statement to the Mayor indicating cities must establish and maintain a satisfactory place to treat contagious diseases. The existing Hillside Hospital was neither large enough nor outfitted with the necessary equipment to meet the standard.
In 1914, the project was at a standstill because the city lacked sufficient funds to undertake the construction and furnishing of the isolation center. The city risked a $500 fine for each time it failed to follow through on the state’s request, which was more accurately a legal requirement.
In late 1914, funds were appropriated to build a road to the anticipated Cherry Street site of the new hospital. The Board of Health reported 400 cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever in 1914. Epidemics were on the rise.
In January 1915, the city secured a $30,000 bond, intending to construct the hospital.
City officials explored facilities in Providence, Rhode Island and Somerville and Everett, Massachusetts,tts to gain insight into the construction of modern facilities. Later in March 1915, the city requested and received an extension of time to meet the state requirement for building an adequate isolation hospital.
Neighborhood opposition to a facility located near their homes grew. Protests were received from Norwood Terrace, Homestead Ave, and up to one-half mile away.
On May 13, 1915, a decision was reached as to the location of the new hospital. It would be built 300 yards east of and behind the Holyoke Tuberculosis Hospital, towards the base of Cherry Street hill. The hospital would have 40 beds and maintain a view of the city.
There was a wide variance in the anticipated cost of the facility. One architect pointed to $30,000, another to $75,000. This led to additional delays in the process.
A major infantile paralysis outbreak occurred in 1916, and the uproar for what were considered unjustifiable delays in constructing the isolation hospital reached a peak.
The story of the ongoing 13-year saga and newly constructed Carpenter Hospital continues in Part 2.
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