Waldo County Hospital, Belfast, Maine 23

Waldo County Hospital, Belfast, Maine 23

"Waldo County Hospital, Belfast, Maine 23" Belfast, Maine, Waldo County, Hospital In 1901 a business group, with Dr. John Brooks as chairman, formed the Waldo County Hospital Association with Dr. Brooks as its president. The Ladies Hospital Aid held many fundraisers events netting the auspicious sum of $1500.00 toward creating a hospital. They continued fundraising to keep the goal of a local hospital in front of the public when the concept was threatened by dissention of the male members of the association. In 1904, the hospital Association purchased the elegant, three story home of David Peirce on Primrose Hill for $4000.00 for that purpose. On December 1, 1904 the hospital opens its doors to patients with a men's ward on the first floor and a women's ward on the second floor. Also, on the second floor is the etherizing room and the surgery. With no elevator, the nurses had to carry male patients up and down the stairs by stretcher. A kitchen was added as well as electricity and a nursing education program with the student nurses living on the third floor. The program continued for 42 years and graduated 130 nurses. In 1909 funding from the public was sought to sustain the hospital. Spearheaded by the Ladie's Hospital Aid, an endowment was created from public donations in the amount of $3000.00. Numerous citizens made regular donations as did millionaire Ira Cobe ($500.00 per year in matching funds). In 1919, facing closure from poor conditions, competition from Dr. Eugene Tapley's hospital and increased debts. At the next incorporator's meeting, an impassioned plea by Dolly Stevens resulted in renewed desire to keep the hospital open. By 1921 circumstances had improved but pressure increased from Dr. Tapley when Alma Bradbury deeded the family home (Cottrell's) on High Street to Dr. Tapley to form the Bradbury Memorial Hospital. However, by 1927 the Bradbury was fading and Waldo County General Hospital was flourishing with addition of new technology. Upon his death in 1931, Ira Cobe left the hospital a $20,000.00 bequest ending any financial problems as the hospital. The hospital continued to serve the city's needs until it closed when the new Waldo County General Hospital on Northport Avenue opened its doors in 1958.