At Last, a Hospital for Gilroy
By Elizabeth Barrett
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G I L R O Y T O D A Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 3
Gilroy’ s first hospital, founded by Dr. Jonas Clark, was a privately operated facility, established in 1898 in an office building at Monterey and Fifth Streets. In 1904 it was moved to a larger space once housing Miss Severance’ s Academy, located on Railroad Street. A nurse’ s training school was established, headed by Marie Clark, Dr. Jonas’ s daughter. For its era, the private hospital was widely regarded as providing up-to-date medical services for the small community.
Although Gilroy’ s private hospital could handle routine emergencies such as maternity cases, appendectomies, gunshot wounds and fractures, more severe injuries and major surgeries had to be transported all the way to San Jose for treatment in a better-equipped major hospital.
When his son, Dr. John Clark, purchased the building for a family home, Dr. Jonas closed down his private hospital, and once more South County residents were forced to look to San Jose for medical needs beyond a local office visit or at-home delivery.
The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce first introduced residents to the idea of funding a public hospital in April 1922. A committee was formed to begin a subscription campaign.