In 1927, the Western Community Hospital Association began planning for the construction of a local hospital. But, where would it be built?
Proposed Western Community Hospital – circa 1928
If you lived in Western Springs in the 1920s, the closest full-service hospital was located in Berwyn. However, as the suburban population grew, so did the interest in constructing a new hospital further west. As a result, the not-for-profit Western Community Hospital Association was formed.
E.C. Patterson, a prominent Western Springs resident, was vice-chairman of the group. However, there were also representatives from Brookfield, Riverside, LaGrange, Hinsdale, Westmont, Downers Grove, and Lyons. After retaining a prominent architectural firm, the group developed a plan that called for a “model hospital” costing $600,000 (or approximately $8 million in 2014 dollars). By May 1929, $315,000 had been pledged by various groups and individuals. One of the more interesting comments in support of the 100-bed hospital came from the Brookfield village president, who said, “We have a zoo and, if the elephants get out, we may need an emergency hospital.”
But where should the 6-story hospital be located? One early proposal was to build it 400 feet north of Ogden and Howard Avenue, which today is the location of the Forest Preserve Nursery. But, eventually, the group zeroed in on a vacant 10-acre site just south of 47th street and east of Wolf Road. However, since these two blocks had been previously platted for 94 homes, this would require re-zoning. Surprisingly, there was little or no opposition to re-zoning the property for hospital use. However, fund-raising was another matter. Pledges seemed to plateau at the $315,000 mark. And, with the onset of the Great Depression, the project came to an abrupt end. The land was then re-zoned back to residential use.
Groundbreaking for Community Memorial Hospital – 1950
Despite this setback, a similar project was initiated in 1946 when a Hinsdale resident donated vacant land on the east side of Willow Springs Road, south of 47th street, for the construction of a community hospital. This time, contributions were more plentiful, allowing construction to begin in 1950.
As they say, the rest is history. In July 1955, the new 98-bed, $3 million Community Memorial Hospital opened its doors.