Kewanee Public Hospital

Looking from across Elliott Street.

The two memorial light posts at the old walk-up entrance. Taken from across Elliott Street.


Side street with Elliott to the right running past the two large pines where the front walk-up entrance used to be.



From an old postcard I found on e-bay.

Drove by Elliott Street in Kewanee where Kewanee Public Hospital used to be. The other picture is from 1966 prior to many of the additions and renovations. It was certainly had a large footprint as the expanse of empty land now shows.

Since the cost of renovation was too much to interest commercial purchase, I'm glad it has been torn down before it became a blight to the town/neighborhood. Always a bit sad to see a portion of the town's historical buildings gone forever (much like the old Hillcrest Home building) but the financial reality won out on both buildings.

Ian was born at Kewanee Public Hospital and of course, Trent and Sue's dad worked there. That employment was what brought us to Kewanee in the first place. The maternity sitting sun room was on the left of the building where the large section of windows are located. Ian spent a portion of his first week of life in that room! Trent amd Sue often visited to be Prince & Princess of the staff.

At the time, it was suggested I should volunteer with the hospital auxiliary. In those days, candy stripers were women not girls. I was in my early twenties, never been around sick people and was so shy I could barely talk to strangers. So I'm pushing my little cart of personal items and a few snacks. I'd peek into a room and if they looked sick, I'd scoot on by. The only room I went into was a man who seemed in good spirits and he purchased candy. I was scolded for selling it to him because he was in for severe diabetes. My candy striper career was short.