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The Oshawa Times SPECIAL SECTION OSHAWA, ONTARIO, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1960 PAGE SEVENTEEN OSHAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL 00 - Wing is completed on the Alexandra Street side of the present buildings. Architects conception of the Oshawa General Hospital as it will look when the contemplated New HE turning of the sod | T for the new wing at the Oshawa General Hos-| pital recalls memories of a| time when there was no hos-| pital in Oshawa, and how al group of dedicated women | brought a hospital to our| community. Prior to 1906, medical men, clergymen, and other gentlemen talked about build- ing a hospital. However noth- ing concrete was accomp- lished. Hospitals in small towns were rare, Sickness in the home continued to be met, by ingenious makeshifts of heat, light, ventilation and even isolation. Add to this the ever present mental an-| xiety, distraction of noise | and need for nursing care, It was either endure all this, or arrange a journey by wagon and rail to some hos- pital in Toronto. In 1898, a building, the origin St. Andrews Presby- terian Church and its ad- joining Sunday School, was built and dedicated. By 1906, the heavy mortgage on the church was paid off by the efforts and work of its well organized women's societies. A special celebration mark- of the church debt. A tall dark-haired young energetic up-and-coming in- dustrialists R. S. McLaughlin, Before the meeting closed, space to reports of meetings systematically, street Mrs. McLaughlin suggested a meeting of all women's organizations in town to be called with the view of con- sidering some worthy enter- prise that they might begin, There were many possible outlets for their energies. Numerous projects were aired, but in orderly manner the field was cut to three. They were: A Young Woman's Christian Associa- tion Building: A Residential club for business girls; or a hospital. The proposals were put to a ballot vote, and the hospital won, The Oshawa Hospital Wo- men's Auxiliary came being in the early weeks of 1907. 'It is an 'organization which continues to this day.| an into 4 . STORIE 1910-1926 eral Hospital, Who was the first Presi- dent of the Oshawa Gen- MRS. R. §. 1910-1358 McLAUGHLIN Who was the 1st Presi dent of the Women's Auxiliary of the 0.G.H, This was to be a com-jand activities of the growing!/street, block by block; and 1 munity project, to be paid auxiliary. Nearly 100 women house by house, canvassed P for and owned by the com- were enrolled. munity, It was to be a self- Vindicator and the Reformer. They OSHAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL \ GORDON D. CONANT President 1927 - 1932 The first objective was a six months, help proposition, for in those piece of land on which hos- days most communities took pital could be built, It was ed the event of the clearing pride in their independence estimated that a plot suffi the town, They canvassed for the spring and able building could be built 'summer. One thousand do lars was raised. A piece of land containing and in being self contained. ciently large could be bought two and one-third acress and a hospital. work is recorded, but the [recorded names follow: Mrs. [R, 8. McLaughlin, Mrs, |Robert' Williams, Mrs, J..O. Henry, Mrs. J. D. Storie, Mrs, John Bailes, Miss Mothersill, Mrs, J. E. Hawkins, Mrs, J. Hastings, Mrs, W. Culling, |Mrs. D, Coull, Mrs, Crysdale, (Mrs, E. W. Drew, Mrs. George |Pedlar, Mrs, Webster, Mrs, |A. J. Stalter, Mrs. Bloomer, Mrs, McLean, Mrs, Guinnet, Mrs, Podger, Miss O'Malley, (Mrs, E. J. McDowell, Mrs. F, E. Hare, Mrs, A, Schofield, | |Mrs, W. H., Ross, Mrs, F. J Harris, Mrs, D. M. Tod, Miss (M. Adams, Mrs, T. H. Ever-| |son, and Mrs, V. B, Woodruff, The next step was to de- [cide on the type of hospital | required. It was learned that| the town of Welland had a small hospital, The Welland hospital was visited, and it! was decided to build the new| hospital along its simple lines.| 13. D. Storie contributed his] practical knowledge, and shrewd appraisal to the situe| ation and became a tower of | strength to the committee,| anning the new hospital, It was believed that a suit- 1- for around $10,000 and that it could be equipped for| that this was the largest proposal ALEX. G. STORIE President 1932-1936 I. KELSO CREIGHTON, Q.C.| President 1936 - 1945 bh J. AUBREY MORPHY | President | 1945 - 1950 another $10,000, So by the Autumn of 1909 a campaign ere already in sight. John |fines in both weekly news- A decidedly sympathetic/for $1,000, so a house-to- located west of Simcoe street Was Planned to raise $20,000. cowan had previously pro-|papers reading: "A Hospital |ials showed strong support matron happened to preside press helped to inform public house canvass to raise this and south of Alexander street at the celebrations. She was opinion. There werey two amount was commenced by was purchased as the site for effort, as it was recognized interested in the hospital the wife of one of PDshawa's weeklies in those days, the members of the Auxiliary. There was no ballyhoo to both gave generous the campaign; the women, third of the names of the raised in Oshawa. Years : 0 HOSPITAL SERVICE R. S. McLAUGHLIN Honorary President would The Official Opening of the firs! Wu Oshawa General Hospital in 1910, Since that date several additions have been added and the standard of the Hos- pital today ranks among the best in the province, Photo Courtesy Bouckley Collection - MRS. R. W, BASSETT President (1960) 0.G.H. Women's Auxiliary collect Other a comment, little advertising or had been Unfortunately, less than a amount of money ever to be similar amount. By Novem- printed matter was used. December 3rd, this had on the evening of Friday, ber 18th, the campaign was Good publicity had been reached $19,500. Thus the November 26th 1909. Twelve by women who took part in the] Some large subscriptions/launched under banner head- given to preliminary meet- campaign closed before the| (Continued on next page) This was an ambitious mised to give $5,000 if those|in Oshawa by 1910", than newsworthy the first week, over $18,00 and by ings and well written editor- end of that year with the |original amount somewhat over-subscribed. Not a bad showing for a small munici- |pality of 5,500 population, |when anything over a hudred dollars seemed a huge sum, [But whether sums were large or small it appeared that levery man and woman in the town felt proud of the oppor= [tunity of making their cone [tribution, | Specifications for the pro- posed hospital showed that it was to be 64 feet by 34 -|feet, of red brick with a so- 'called "cottage" roof over two storeys a basement, In res- ponse to advertisements call- ing for tender, four were re- ceived, ranging from $11,240 lto $9,874 The successful ten- |derer for the latter amount {was the late Mr. R. H. James, la local building contractor, |who had already served the community as a councillor, by the Press. By the end of Mayor, and Water Commis- | : raised, 0 sioner, The contract was awarded CYRIL WAITE President 1950 - 1952 HAS BEEN WELL SERVED DURING THE PAST FIFTY YE ERNEST MARKS, Q.C. President 1952-1957 ALBERT E. McGILVRAY President 1957 - 1959 * ARS BY CITIZENS IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE T. L. WILSON President 1959 -- 19--