Boulder City Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boulder City Hospital |
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| Geography | |
| Location | 901 Adams Boulevard Boulder City, Clark County, Nevada, U.S. |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Private |
| Hospital type | General and Teaching |
| Affiliated university | University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (1969–2017) UNLV School of Medicine (2017–present) |
| Services | |
| Standards | Joint Commission |
| Emergency department | Yes |
| Helipad | Yes |
| Beds | 82 |
| History | |
| Founded | November 15, 1931 |
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Old Boulder City Hospital
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Site of the old hospital
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 701 Park Place Boulder City, Nevada, U.S. |
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| Built | November 15, 1931 |
| Architect | Six Companies |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003211 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | April 1, 1982 |
| Removed from NRHP | June 9, 2023 |
Boulder City Hospital is a healthcare center in Boulder City, Nevada. It has 82 beds for patients needing short-term care. It also has a special area with 47 beds for long-term care. Plus, there's a 10-bed center for older adults needing mental health support.
Contents
The Story of Boulder City Hospital
Boulder City Hospital has a long and interesting history. It was first built by a group called Six Companies. They were the ones building the famous Hoover Dam. The hospital first opened its doors on November 15, 1931. It had 20 beds for patients. When the dam was finished in 1935, the hospital closed down. But it reopened later in 1943. A brand new hospital building opened on December 8, 1973. It was about a mile away from the old one. The original hospital building was used for a while as a retreat. But it was eventually taken down in 2015. The place where the old hospital stood is now a historic site.
How It All Began
The very first hospital in Boulder City was built by Six Companies. This was the same group that built the Hoover Dam. The government agencies couldn't afford to build a hospital. So, it was decided that Six Companies should build it. Most of the dam workers were employed by them. Government workers could also use the hospital.
The hospital was built on top of a hill. This spot was originally planned for a resort hotel. The hospital had amazing views. You could see the Eldorado Valley and McCullough Mountains. The Colorado River also wound through the landscape. Building started in August 1931. The hospital opened on November 15, 1931. It cost $20,000 to build.
The hospital was made of brick and white stucco. It was shaped like an "L" and had 20 beds. There was also a special ward for bone injuries. A separate building, called the "Pest House," had eight beds. This was for patients with contagious diseases. In 1933, a new wing was added to the main hospital. This wing became the isolation ward. The old Pest House was then taken down.
Workers for Six Companies paid $1.50 each month. This was taken from their paychecks. This fee allowed them to use the hospital's services. However, their families had to go to Las Vegas for medical care.
When the Hoover Dam was finished in 1935, Six Companies left Boulder City. The hospital then closed. People needing medical help had to travel to Las Vegas. Sometimes, this travel time was too long in emergencies. In 1938, the National Park Service took over the building. They turned it into a museum and office. The Park Service left in 1941. The building stayed empty for two years.
The Hospital During Wartime
In December 1943, the U.S. Public Health Service reopened the hospital. They wanted to care for soldiers wounded in the war. The Bureau of Reclamation wanted to build a new hospital. They even had the money. But building materials were hard to find during the war. So, they just fixed up the old hospital. The Health Service provided refurbished equipment. Town residents helped clean and repair these items. They got old X-ray machines, sterilizers, and beds. These came from hospitals all over the country.
Local people also raised money for an ambulance. They started a volunteer ambulance team. You could pay $15 a year to join this service. This membership gave you one ride to the hospital.
In 1949, the Bureau of Reclamation took control of the hospital. It kept losing money. The hospital served the city well. But it was a financial burden for the government. In 1954, the Bureau suddenly decided to stop running the hospital. If Boulder City wanted a hospital, they had to raise $15,000. They needed this money in just two weeks. It would cover operating costs and upkeep. The townspeople quickly started a "Save the Hospital" campaign. They went door-to-door asking for donations. By March 18, the fund had more than $15,000. The hospital was then given to the citizens to control on April 15, 1954.
Community Support and a New Building
The Boulder City Hospital Auxiliary was formed by local women. They helped with hospital work. They also raised money to keep the hospital running. In 1963, the Auxiliary started a fundraising event. It became a well-known tradition in Boulder City. This event was the Boulder City Hospital Auxiliary art festival. It was called "Art in the Park." The first festival raised $3,000. Fifty artists took part, including James Swinnerton.
On December 8, 1973, a new Boulder City Hospital opened. It was located on Adams Boulevard. The old Six Companies Hospital on the hill became run-down. It was eventually declared unsafe. The Sisters of Charity bought the building in 1976. They started fixing it up in 1980. They turned the hospital into a retreat house called Wellspring. The building was officially opened on April 5, 1981. A year later, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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Site of the old hospital
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Boulder City Hospital logo
