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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part two of a two-part series on Bell Hospital.
ISHPEMING -- "Work on the new hospital progresses slowly due to the extreme cold weather of the last several days. Thursday night the mercury dropped to 8 below zero. Concrete work can be prosecuted only by heating the water and gravel, and at that it's pretty expensive and slow. Work has been started on the walls and a week or two of warmer weather would help a lot." (Iron Ore, December 8, 1917)
"Work on the new hospital goes slowly due to the condition of the weather which is not at all favorable for the laying of brick and making of concrete, but some progress is being made. The winter came so early that the plans of the builders were much interfered with. It was the intention to have gotten the building under cover by the time winter set in but this was found to be impossible, as troubles were met with in getting in the foundation. But when this hospital is completed, it will be a very find one and much appreciated by the people of Ishpeming." (Iron Ore, January 15, 1918)
A number of factors contributed to the slow progress on the hospital that winter of 1917-1918. The frigid temperatures made working outside difficult, if not impossible. Fuel to heat water and gravel was hard to attain as both coal and hardwood were scarce and expensive. There was also an acute labor shortage due to the war and many of the men who would normally be available to do construction work were either in the army or had indoor jobs. Plus, during the worst of the winter, most jobs were shut down for one day during the work week to conserve fuel. The building of the hospital would not be considered essential enough to be exempt from that mandate.
Two months passed before there was another update on the hospital.
"Building operations at the new hospital have been going ahead rapidly this week, the weather having warmed up so that concreting and brick laying can be done without hinderance. Heretofore it had been necessary to heat the water, cement and other ingredients (so) that it could be handled satisfactorily." (Iron Ore, March 23, 1918)
By June work had progressed well and thought was being given to the inside of the hospital
"The new hospital of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Mining company is to be finished on the interior with verde antique marble from the quarry of the Michigan Verde Antique Marble company. Huge blocks were brought into Ishpeming this week to be sent away for sawing, polishing and cutting to desired dimensions. These blocks, while awaiting a car in which to handle them to the manufactory, caused much interest here. Many people were surprised at their magnitude and beauty, the colorings showing up well under a wetting, but nothing in comparison to what they will be when finished. When this finish is put in position in the hospital building it is going to get many compliments because it certainly will be very attractive." (Iron Ore, June 29, 1918) (Note: The 'car' referred to in the quote was a railroad car.)
"It is pleasing to think the Cleveland-Cliffs company is to finish its handsome new hospital building with this marble. It's a loyal thing to do and it's going to be about the finest job in marble ever put into a building in Cloverland. The company has marble on its lands too and this may do a great deal in attracting people to the product. Marbles of this particular variety are rare. The Carters, who operate this quarry for the company formed for the purpose of developing it, are practical marble men who are very confident over the final outcome of the work they are here engaged on. Naturally they are very much pleased to get the order from the mining company for their new hospital. The latter is fast nearing completion. The grounds are being graded and a landscape architect (Warren Manning) is hard at work arranging things properly. Its going to be a very find addition to the buildings and grounds of Ishpeming and will be much appreciated." (Iron Ore, June 29, 1918)
Throughout the summer of 1918, the new hospital progressed rapidly.
"It is thought that the new hospital of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron company will be ready for occupancy in about a month. The interior finish is nearly all completed, the grounds are fast rounding into condition and another month will probably find the hospital ready to receive patients. And it will be the very finest hospital in all Cloverland.
A superintendent of nurses, Miss Alma D. Cron has been engaged. Miss Cron is a graduate of John Hopkins, has had four years experience as superintendent of the state hospital at Traverse City and will come very highly recommended. Miss Peterson, who has filled the position of matron at the Ishpeming hospital, and who is now in Chicago taking a special course will be chief surgical nurse, and is splendidly equipped for the place.
The new hospital is going to be a great thing for Ishpeming and will be the pride of every resident here. We waited a long time for it, but it will be the very last word in hospitals so that we are satisfied to have waited for it." (Iron Ore, August 24, 1918)
The hospital would be put to a major test upon opening as the Spanish flu pandemic was ongoing. It was thought for a time that those suffering from the flu would be housed and cared for in the old hospital, but they ended up going to the new hospital.
The new Ishpeming hospital became Bell Hospital and stood for many years in the heart of Ishpeming before a new Bell hospital was built. The old one was torn down and the property stood empty for some years until the Jasperlite Senior Hosing was built.