|
|
History of MGHS  |
||
|
Marquette Becomes A Commerce Center, Early Hospitals Marquette's early development was supported by its protected harbor, central location on Lake Superior's southern shore, and abundant natural resources. The city grew rapidly as men and supplies for the area iron mines, and the mine's pig iron and ore, funneled through the Marquette harbor. A plank road was laid to connect Marquette with the iron mines and forge. It was upgraded to a mule-powered strap railway in 1855. Docks to load the iron ore onto ships were also completed that year. Ore was hand-shoveled out of the carts, loaded into wheelbarrows, and hauled up a gangplank into the waiting ship. The first pocket dock, which placed the ore above the ship's deck and greatly reduced the work of loading, was completed in 1857. Marquette's first steam locomotive, the Sebastopol, arrived the same year. A near riot followed as muleskinners, who would soon lose their jobs, tried to prevent the unloading of the locomotive. The ship's captain promised to shoot the first man who got in the way, and the Sebastopol was soon unloaded and replaced the mule carts. The Soo locks also opened in 1855. Until then, ore had to be unloaded, hauled around the rapids, and reloaded onto ships for the trip downstate. Charles T. Harvey designed and constructed the locks on schedule and then moved to the Marquette area. He later founded the town of Harvey, which he hoped would surpass Marquette. His home, the Bayou House, is still a Harvey landmark. Dr. Gilbert H. Blaker arrived in Marquette in the midst of this development. He is credited with being the first physician to hang out a shingle and start a medical practice on his own. However, Marquette residents were a fairly robust group in 1856 and Dr. Blaker had a difficult time making ends meet. Local families with sufficient funds paid him $12 a year toward his support. Dr. Blaker kept meticulous weather records for the Smithsonian Institution while in Marquette. He left to join the Union army in the Civil War and died in 1865. Blaker Street, where he had his home, was named in his memory. Several other physicians came to the Marquette area, bought or rented homes, and set up practice. Marquette's first emergency hospital was established by Dr. J.A. Desjardin on the corner of Rock and Fourth Streets in 1873. The Marquette Hospital, a private facility, opened in 1882 by Dr. Phil Hopkins on 213 Lake Street. Dr. I.E. Ware joined Dr. Hopkins, and the hospital moved twice to larger establishments, first to 720 Lake Street and then to the corner of Adams and Genesee Streets. There was also a Northwestern Hospital, run by W.A. Perrin, in operation on the corner of Front and Arch Streets in 1890. Marquette General Hospital got its start as the Marquette City Hospital, organized in July 1896 by Drs. Northrop, Foster, Youngquist, Harkin and Hornbogen. It quickly outgrew its 12-bed facility on 152 E. Prospect, and moved to a site on Front Street where the public library now stands. The 15- to 25-bed hospital was on a street car line to make patient transfers easier. A January 1, 1897 Marquette Mining Journal article boasted that the hospital "contains every convenience -- hot and cold water, bathrooms, etc." However, it had no elevator and the superintendent, Mr. Frank Stolpe, had to carry patients up and down the stairs on his back. In June 1897, the hospital moved to 123 W. Ridge Street (later known as the Elizabeth and Zweifel Apartments). The name was changed to St. Luke's later that year. The Regional Medical Center we know today developed from this modest beginning. 1997
|
|||
Patient
Rooms Direct Dialing - (906) 225-3(Room#). Room #'s: 233-245, 374-390, 501-527, & 601-827 |
|||
|
|
Telephoning a Patient | FREE Valet Parking | | Text Page Site Disclaimer | Link Policy | Web Site Privacy Statement We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation Copyright © Marquette General Health System |
||
